Tuesday, December 12, 2017

The Parkinson's Forecast for Anchorage and Environs

Heads up fellow PwPD. We will beat back the darkness Saturday, Dec 16 by potlucking like we don't care that it's too dim to tell what exactly is on our plates. Not that we can taste anything, anyway, given that our sense of smell is shot. We'll eat, watch the lights come on across the Anchorage bowl in the early winter gloaming, and all sing "Jingle Bells" if I have anything to say about it. I'll bring something main-dishy, scads of festive plastic utensils, and charming holiday-themed paper plates and cups (although the theme of the holiday may be Halloween, I'm not exactly sure what I have on hand.) You bring whatever you think goes well with light and heat deprivation. You could consider bringing something known to be particularly good for People Packing Parkinson's, blueberries, vegetables rich in color, leafy greens and, God bless 'em, tasty wild-caught Alaska salmon!

Those in need of more distraction from the bleak mid-winter (and that would be all of us) should consider going to voice pathologist Anne Ver Hoef's gathering for those who wish to practice speaking to strengthen their voices. If you didn't get the memo, here is the gist:

The second meeting of our PD  Conversation Group is planned for Monday, December 18th at 3:30 at Regional Hospital , Conference room 1.

Some activities we discussed doing at this meeting are:

Holiday singing

Script or play reading

Chinese auction  

read and discuss news articles

The goal is to develop and improve our speaking and conversation skills in a supportive group  of folks who all share the challenge of "Living well with Parkinson's"


And  we are setting up a special meeting JANUARY 4TH, on Care partnering for PD. The Presenter will be Connie Carpenter Phinney of the Davis Phinney Foundation. Connie won a gold Medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in bicycling and competed at the Olympics as a speed-skater, too. But what qualifies her as a speaker on care partnering is 17 years of experience garnered through her marriage to fellow Olympic cycling medalist Davis Phinney, who has PD. More details to follow.

That's about it! Hope to see you at some or all of these great moments in Northern Parkinson's.

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