Just this week, we welcomed more new members into our exercise class at the Danvers Council on Aging location at 25 Stone Street! We’ve just about outgrown our room!
The Danvers staff and program volunteers are so warm and welcoming! No wonder it’s such a busy place…and we’re happy to be part of the energy there!
If you’re from the Danvers or surrounding areas and are wondering what kinds of interesting activities are available, we encourage you to contact the Danvers COA program coordinator, Paula Corcoran. You’ll be glad you did! Paula’s email at the office is PCORCORAN@mail.danvers-ma.org.
Sometimes we get so busy among the three class locations, we don’t post to our blog as often as we should!
We’re happy to welcome new friends Frank, Gus, Winnie, Patrick, Teresa, Barbara, Bob, Anthea, Millie, Lynn, and Al…and including Diane who’s back up north from her home in Florida for the summer! Each of you offers something special to our program. Thank you for the effort you’re giving weekly, along with the others in each of the classes!
You’re taking the concept of motivated moving to heart…and it shows!
“Focus on what has helped you overcome challenges in the past and find ways to use these strategies every day as you address challenges and stress.”
— Amit Sood, M.D.
Amit Sood, M.D, M.Sc., is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and chair of the Mind Body Medicine Initiative at Mayo Clinic based in Rochester, Minnesota.
Keith Hall takes his participation in the LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy) program in Beverly seriously. Practicing regular daily projection and breathing lessons at home is important for maintaining successful volume.
It seems that the Hall’s border collie, Tex, isn’t sure just WHAT those sounds Keith makes are, and either joins in the vocalizing himself or hides in another room!
During our recent Marblehead support group meeting – while listening to the members share with one another about how April is recognized as world-wide Parkinson’s Awareness Month – I found myself wishing more people could understand that for those challenged by the condition, awareness isn’t 30 days long…it’s a lifetime.
Marilyn Freeman, volunteer support group facilitator
For people fighting Parkinson’s every day and those by their sides offering constant care and encouragement…
“Fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired you wish your opponent would crack you one on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round – remembering that the man who always fights one more round is never whipped.”
– James Corbett, boxer
“Perhaps the most delightful friendships are those in which there is much agreement, much disputation, and yet more personal liking.” – George Eliot
We think that quotation sums things up pretty appropriately as Keith Hall’s newest idea, “It’s a Guy Thing”, launched on Tuesday morning . A group of men from our Marblehead, Danvers and Gloucester exercise classes joined one another for a couple of hours to enjoy coffee and pastries at Panera Bread on Dodge Street in Beverly.
One might assume that much of their conversation would be about their Parkinson’s challenges. Not so! The common denominator this first time together was their shared interest in golf!
All of the men in our classes come from different careers and backgrounds and have a variety of interests or hobbies and, of course, concerns, that shape who they are. Whether you are a man who has Parkinson’s yourself, or are a male friend or family member providing care for someone who lives with it, you are welcome to spend time with us…we hope at least once a month. Keith or Linda can be reached for more information via email at: lindajhall53@gmail.com – it will help to have the words “Men’s Group” in the subject line, so that the message isn’t sent off into cyberspace!
(By the way, the author of the opening quotation – George Eliot – is actually the pen name of the critically acclaimed female English Victorian writer, Mary Ann Evans. Her literary contributions include, among many others, The Mill and The Floss, Adam Bede, Silas Marner and Middlemarch. She is considered by many to be one of the finest authors of the Victorian era. Just thought we’d give a little recognition to the female side of things in our post!)
March 20
In tribute to care partners everywhere who do their best to help ease the challenges that Parkinson’s creates…
“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.” – Albert Schweitzer
On this New Year’s Eve 2014, we look back over what’s been accomplished through our fitness classes and forward to the opportunities waiting in 2015.
We’ve welcomed curious and (mostly!) committed new friends in Marblehead, Danvers, and Gloucester as they take to heart the advice to find ways of maintaining their motivation to keep physically moving, regardless of the changes taking place in their mobility levels.
We were saddened by the passing of members and miss those who have moved away, as well as the friends who are unable to continue attending classes due to unexpected and disabling medical conditions.
It’s always a treat (and sometimes a challenge!) each time we meet to see the smiles, share the moans and groans, and watch one another share words of encouragement and good-natured teasing. All of it leads us toward emphasizing the seriousness and importance of personal goal making, whether in class or at home.
January 1, 2015 offers the opportunity to look both backward to where we’ve been and how we got there with all of its lessons learned, AND forward to hope, goals, and renewed motivation.
Keith, Linda, Dianna, Sue, and Marilyn all look forward to all we can accomplish together in 2015!
Feeling under-motivated with keeping up with your exercise? You’re stronger than those negative voices that say “why bother” and “it doesn’t make any difference”!
“Recognize and rely on your strengths.
This will give you confidence and help you carry out your plan.”
Donald Hensrud, M.D. – Mayo Clinic Physician
Why not post the quote somewhere highly visible where it will serve as a positive reminder…such as:
- on the bathroom mirror?
- on a kitchen cabinet?
- on the door to go outside?
- on the refrigerator?
- on the television screen?
- on your computer or iPad – maybe as a scrolling screensaver?
- on the car dashboard?
