Parkinson's Forecast for September (Anchorage area)

Ahoy there People with an interest in Parkinson's Disease. What does the future hold? Glad you asked. I have peered long and hard in my crystal ball, and can say the following will come to pass...

 The telehealth presentation will be 9th of September at 1:00 pm in room 2401 of the Providence oncology wing on Piper St.  Go to the second floor, walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right. This Month, Dance and how Dance helps those affected by Parkinson’s Disease. Speaker: Suzanne Ostersmith, is a Theatre Artist, Choreographer, Visual Artist, and Arts Educator. She serves as Academic Dance Program Director for Gonzaga University’s theatre and Parkinson’s Resource Center of Spokane, More information at center@spokaneparkinsons.org

Of course, if you are interested in dance as a way of coping with Parkinson's disease, you should know we are fortunate enough to have Carolyn Lassiter leading classes (please see below) I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention that Yoga for Parkinson's is underway again in Anchorage, Thanks to Rocky Plotnick. Here is the info on that

We have a schedule for our Yoga for Parkinson's class in August & September! Classes will be from 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm on Thursdays at the Alaska Dance Theatre (550 E. 33rd Ave).There is no charge for this class.  Yoga mats are provided.  No experience necessary. Just bring comfy clothes and an open mind. Watch for the website, trinityyogaalaska.com - launch date is August 5th.

Finally, we have our regular meeting scheduled for  September 21, I will try to have a report ready for you on the Inland Hope conference on Parkinson's disease

That's what was in the crystal ball, more news as it breaks! (As the news breaks, not the crystal ball.)

Best,

Peter

What's so Funny about Parkinson's Disease? Delivering a Slurred Speech in Spokane, Sept. 7

Humor is a dicey proposition with PD. People are fragile by definition when diagnosed with a major illness. But who could use a laugh more than someone who has had their mortality thrown in their face? (Hint: nobody, that's who) I'll argue that humor is one of the tools we have developed to cope with life's difficulties. Like any tool it can be misused. But if used right, it's a key to doing the job of coping your best with Parkinson's. We'll look at the different ways humor can help those of us with Parkinson's and how it can reduce the power this disease can have over us.

Here is the lowdown on the speakers, date and place,info from the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation.

Spokane, WA
The Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual Inland Northwest Conference on Parkinson's. An educational conference for Parkinson patients, families, caregivers and friends.

Saturday, September 7, 2013
9:00am-3:00pm
Registration opens at 8:00am
Breakfast snacks and plated lunch included.

LOCATION:
Northern Quest Resort
Pend Oreille Pavilion
100 North Hayford Road
Airway Heights, WA 99001

SPEAKERS:
Keynote
Dr. Anthony Santiago - Dopamine Replacement Therapies

Panel - Making Your Medicines Work for You
Dr. Pinky Agarwal
Dr. Laurie Mischley
Len Norfleet, PT

Dr. Jennifer Van Wey - PD Diagnosis & Relationships

Lynda LeBlanc - Dance for PD

Peter Dunlap-Shohl - What's So Funny about PD?

Including a Special Performance by the
Tremble Clefs Choir!

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call: 1-877-980-7500

Blog You Are Reading RIGHT NOW Named One of 15 Best Blogs on Parkinson's Disease for 2013

In accordance with our journalistic imperative to bring you the latest, most important news about PD and in no way driven by my vast ego and need for approval, I would like to graciously announce the following...(ahem)... Healthline editors recently published their final list of the top Parkinson's blogs on the web for 2013 and Off & On: The Alaska Parkinson’s Rag made the list. You can find the complete list at http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-parkinsons-blogs (in no particular order).


We don't know jack about Healthline, but they certainly must have researched thoroughly to have found this teeny tiny blog crying in the wilderness. Among others mentioned in the top 15 are the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's "Parkinson's Insights'', "Positively Parkinson's" by Bob Kuhn, Kate Kelsall's "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Foxfeed" from the MJ Fox Foundation.

In addition to citing the content of "Off and On" they also praised the author's "Quirky" creativity. When reached for comment, blog producer Peter Dunlap-Shohl replied "Quirky? The hell with that, I'm a full-blown, stage five, certified eccentric!" At which, he terminated the interview using a can of bear spray. Fortunately for us, we were interviewing him by telephone, and were unhurt. Dunlap-Shohl, however was heard coughing and cursing loudly and quirkily on the other end of the line. We offer him our congratulations and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

August PD Forecast for Anchorage and Environs

Hello Friends,

Here's what's on the Parkinson's plate for August. Live! From Spokane, it's a TeleHealth Presentation!

August 12th 1:00PM, 2013 at Providence Hospital oncology wing on Piper St. ( Go to the second floor walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right. )

This month:

The power of support groups.

“My presentation will address the myths of join a support group, the healing and hope of being part of a close group of friends whose journey is your journey, the groups available in your area or ways to begin forming support groups in your area if there are no resources available” says speaker Linda Lysne, Caregiver Support Group Leader.

Linda brings experience to her volunteer efforts as facilitator of two support groups for the Parkinson’s.

Our regular group meeting this month is the 17th, at 3:30. This month we will hear from, uh, me. I've been invited to speak on Parkinson's and Humor at the Spokane 2nd Annual Inland Northwest HOPE For Parkinson's Conference. I thought I'd save you the air fare and give an exclusive preview to you all of my slide presentation "What's so Funny About Parkinson's Disease?" Hope to see you there,

Peter