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Meet Your Neighbor: Meet The Neighbor – Megan Lane
By Callie Thomas
It’s been said that your character will speak so loudly about you that it overpowers what you may try to convince others in words. Resident Megan Lane has not only shown incredible strength of character through her actions, but has also managed to convince others through her words – not of the validity of her integrity, but to support and raise awareness for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) Las Vegas.
While Lane has a knack for putting pen to paper and speaking effectively in front of clients in her job as Director of Client Relations at Imagine Communications, it is her personal experiences with the disease and dedication to supporting efforts to help those afflicted that is making a difference. When Lane was twenty-four, her mother was diagnosed with Huntington’s. Since then, her two older brothers have also tested positive for the gene. The neurological disorder is caused by a genetic mutation which begins showing symptoms between the ages of thirty and fifty. Uncontrollable movement progresses and a person with Huntington’s can eventually no longer talk, walk or think on their own. There is currently no cure, but Lane is making sure that every possible resource to reach that goal and help others in the process is utilized.
She has not only helped to establish the HDSA Las Vegas affiliate and assisted them in working towards receiving chapter status, but she’s also dedicated to raising funds and awareness. In addition, Lane has met with local political leaders to impart legislative change on how Huntington’s is defined by the Social Security Administration to make it easier for those struggling with the disease to receive disability benefits. She tells us of her own experiences and how she is determined to “fill in the gaps” when it comes to Huntington’s Disease.
Local support of Huntington’s Disease has come a long way in the past few years.
“After my mom was diagnosed, I searched for an organization locally that would provide support and help me understand the disease better, but there wasn’t anything established in Las Vegas. In 2010, shortly after the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health opened, they started a support group for HD, where I met several people dealing with the disease and finally felt I wasn’t alone. Those meetings were essentially the beginning of establishing the HDSA Las Vegas Affiliate. While our group is still relatively small, everyone involved is very dedicated and works hard to raise awareness of this disease and provide a welcoming place for those affected.”
You are working toward gaining chapter status for the group. How will this affect those with HD?
“I have served as the communications chair for the HDSA of Las Vegas for the last two years. Once the organization has chapter status, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will be eligible to apply to become a Center of Excellence. This will provide funding for research and patient care to the facility.”
You’ve also helped by raising funds and sharing your experiences at the National HDSA Convention this year?
“Yes, I have assisted in organizing two fundraising events that have raised over $35,000 for HD research and had a chance to share my personal experiences with nearly 1,000 people from all over the country at the National HDSA Convention here in Las Vegas.”
Your efforts are also changing how HD is viewed by families of those afflicted and others.
“I want people to know that they are not alone. It is a disease that is often not talked about or discussed among families who are affected. There is a stigma associated with it and we are working toward changing that by creating a community of support.”
You give so much of your time to helping others. What do you do when you get a chance to unwind?
“Spend time with my fiancé Adam and his fourteen-year-old daughter Niki. We love to go to the movies and have family dinner. I also love baking. It’s my creative outlet and another way I show my love for my family.”
