"Parkinson's and Luck" a New Post for the Nortwest Parkinson's Foundation

A faint cheer for civilization and imagination right here. Part of my ongoing posts for the NWPF

Life in Slow-Mo: Tough Guys Don't Dance

Parkison's events for January in Southcentral Alaska

I know that you all have busy schedules for January filled with to-do's like "Avoid falling on slippery streets" and "practice my speech therapy homework" and "exercise like a possessed person", but I thought it would be good to increase your stress levels by noting some things you'll want to pay attention to if you have, or are planning to get Parkinson's Disease.

On Monday the 12th of January (or as some of you may think of it, tomorrow) a Telehealth Conference will take place. This month's topic is "Useful tools for stress management with Carla Carnegie, MT-BC" As the new year starts and we find many stressors coming at us. Higher bills from the holidays, lack of sunshine, many more grey weather days and more. January is a great time to discover tools to help find your balance and reduce your stress. The Time for the Anchorage event is 1:00 pm in the Piper Street wing of Providence Hospital. To find the Anchorage meeting, proceed with all deliberate speed to 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.

​ As if that weren't enough, the regular support Group meeting will follow  just a few days later on Saturday, January at 3:30 in the Anchorage Pioneer home. At the suggestion of group members Sally Spieker and Danny Lommel, the topic will be "Tips and tricks, ways I've adapted to PD" The speakers will be (drum roll) Each of us! Bring one simple thing you've found, learned or invented to make dealing with Pd easier. Think of it as "life hacks" for Parkinson's. For instance, when I freeze and can't walk, I've found I can get where I want to go by turning around and walking backwards.  Or maybe you've found a cool gadget that can help. We had a similar meeting years ago, and a group member brought a cane that unfolds into a little stool that he could sit on when he tired of hoofing. ( I'm sure James Bond will have one of these when he is diagnosed)​ So, think of one great PD hack to share with the group.

Looking forward to seeing  you,

Pete