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Parkinson Support & Wellness entered 2022 hopeful for a better year than the previous two years of pandemic. We had watched our Parkinson community struggle with Covid-19 and the isolation that the virus imposed. We were determined throughout 2020 and 2021 to provide programs and platforms that pierced that isolation and allowed us all to connect whether through support groups and exercise programs that evolved to “virtual” options, or through continuing our educational programs via Zoom.
In the depths of the dark winter, we bring some light to our world when we celebrate the New Year. A traditional part of that celebration is the New Year’s resolution. Humans have been pledging to change their bad habits since the Babylonians vowed to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment some 4,000 years ago. (The custom of breaking those resolutions within several months is also an old one.) How can people living with Parkinson's disease make the most of New Year’s resolutions?
Happy Holidays to our Parkinson Support & Wellness community!
Whatever holiday you celebrate during this winter, we want to wish you a cheerful and lovely winter season! We are so grateful for you and love having you be a part of our community. Have an amazing and cozy time this December with your loved ones.
There is a special balance in responses when someone tells you that they have a difficult diagnosis. It’s sort of a Goldie Locks thing on steroids. Some of the reactions are too hot. You are now the illness. Nothing you have done or will ever do will ever count again. You are now to be pitied. Some are too cold, “That’s nothing. I know someone who just takes a pill and everything is great.”
In thinking about a blog post this month I cannot help but think of Thanksgiving. It is so easy to think about the negatives of a Parkinson’s diagnosis for the person with PD and for their surrounding circle of family and friends. I want to stop and consider is there anything about a PD diagnosis that perhaps one can be thankful for or appreciate?
It is well known that exercise is beneficial therapy for those living with Parkinson’s disease. But in recent years, more varied kinds of physical activity are beginning to be researched and proven to help as well, and one of the most highly touted is dance. There are hundreds of dance programs for those in the Parkinson’s community throughout the world, but the headquarters for PD dance worldwide is the Dance for PD program in Brooklyn, New York.
One of the most common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease – affecting an estimated 90% of PWPs – is a reduction in (or complete absence of) a sense of smell. The reduction is called “hyposmia” and the absence is “anosmia.” Often this symptom predates many others. This loss has the potential to significantly affect our quality of life. The inability to accurately detect odors in one’s environment can be inconvenient (if you can’t tell whether your clothes or your body parts need cleaning and deodorizing) or even dangerous (if you cannot smell a fire or a gas leak.) But a related loss that may perhaps have even more of an impact on one’s quality of life is a reduction in the sense of taste.
My Ddd was diagnosed with PD in 2019. As a family, we experienced many changes, especially him. One of the changes that surprised me the most was his taste in food changed. For example, my dad used to LOVE beer. We are from Cincinnati, so of course he loved beer. Since being diagnosed, the taste of beer has become chalky to him. Also some food now has no taste. Weirdly enough…some food tastes better to him now. Peaches and apples taste sweeter now.
Well that was fun! The 14th Annual Steady Strides, presented by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, was another great success. Our sponsors, contributors, volunteers and most notably, our Parkinson community, all came together to achieve every goal we set. The final numbers are not yet complete but we know we will meet or exceed our financial goal of $110,000. This means you can assured that we will continue our mission of Learning, Moving and Sharing through 2023.
How many of you wrote in a diary growing up? Journaling is very similar to keeping a diary but there are so many different types of journaling to explore! There are many benefits to journaling. It helps reduce stress, keeps your memory engaged, boosts your mood and strengthens your emotional functions (source).
The 18th annual Sunflower Rev It Up Symposium is happening on August 27th at The Oasis Golf and Conference Center in Loveland. This is an annual symposium sponsored by the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute. The team is excited to be back in person this year. Contents of the symposium include up to date and useful information about Parkinson’s disease, the benefits of intense exercise, practical suggestions for living well with Parkinson’s disease. There will be a patient with PD to tell us their story that inspires all to live our best lives with or without Parkinson’s disease.
We had a blast June 25 at our fundraiser game with the Florence Y'alls! Special thanks to those who purchased tickets for the evening and participated in our split-the-pot! We had fun at your Margaritaville themed evening and we dressed for the occasion!
