Events
April 2024 Parkinson’s Awareness Month
A Parkinson’s Fitness volunteer writes…
“April is Parkinson’s Awareness month, which provides an opportunity for often less-public but as-important people here in our area and around the world to ask the rest of us to look beyond a diminishing “Person-with-Parkinson’s” label. Identifying someone only in terms of a medical diagnosis or career doesn’t necessarily describe him or her as a person.
Among prominently recognized faces from the “Parkinson’s world” are actors, athletes, popular recording artists and instrumental musicians, government officials and religious leaders. Their diverse careers share a common and progressively difficult diagnosis, but it does not devalue who they are or were or their abilities shared with the world. Parkinson’s Awareness month presents gateways for understanding why attitude is empowering and evidenced by their offering living-well advice:
- Enjoy the moment – try not to dwell on what the future holds.
- Surround yourself with upbeat people – enjoy providing and having a good laugh!
- Have at least 3 things you do well – if you’re not doing well in one, turn to the others.
- Be as physically active as you can, but also make time to rest.
- Believe in yourself – try thinking, saying and practicing an attitude of “I’ll try” and “I will” and not always “I can’t”.
- Be adventuresome – travel short and long distances and learn new things.
- Don’t isolate – connect with friends, family and others – help others however you can.
Over ten years of volunteering with Keith and Linda Hall’s local Parkinson’s Fitness exercise and educational programs has provided me with extraordinary opportunities to better understand the definition of resilience. I choose “battle-resilient” not as a label for so many remarkable people, but as a badge of honor worn by those who struggle with Parkinson’s challenges and continue to fight on!”
Marilyn Freeman, Marblehead MA
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dance for Healthy Aging with Parkinson’s Disease:
Dancing Your Way Through Life
Location: Jackson Dance Studios at Tufts University, 50 Talbot Ave, Medford, MA
Sunday April 7th: 10:00-3:30
The workshop featured:
Pamela Quinn, PD Movement Lab – guest presenter at our 2018 Parkinson’s Fitness educational symposium
David Leventhal – program director and founding teacher, Dance for PD®
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We held our local Lunch and Conversation gathering for caregivers of folks with Parkinson’s on Wednesday, November 29th, from 12pm-2pm, in Lynnfield. If you are a care provider who is interested in more education and support, please contact Linda Hall to let her know you’d like to attend future get-togethers. Email parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com or call 781-572-5918.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thank You for Helping Parkinson’s Fitness Support National Research!
Inspired by the Parkinson’s community nation-wide, the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) established the Run/Walk Series (formerly known as the Fox Trot) in 2017 in New York City. Since then, the Series has evolved and expanded to several locations across the United States.
These family-friendly events connect those living with Parkinson’s, their loved ones, supporters and community partners. Collectively, the Run/Walk Series has raised more than $6 million and united over 18,000 participants across the United States and internationally.
All proceeds from the Run/Walk Series go directly to MJFF’s high-impact research programs to speed better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s.
On October 29th, we partnered with the Michael J. Fox Foundation once again this year, sending reminders via our weekly emails about how to participate or contribute, having walkers and runners. and having a welcoming information table available. As has been done in the past, this year’s “2023 Boston Run/Walk” event in our local area mobilized from Linscott Park, 17 Monument Avenue, Swampscott, making it possible for North Shore families and friends to participate. Your support was appreciated either by running or walking with our team, by donating online,or by visiting our table at the walk! We really appreciated your support!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Parkinson’s Foundation 10th national “Moving Day” Walk
Held Saturday, October 7, 2023 – DCR Artesani Park, 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Boston
“For 10 years friends and families have joined together to walk and raise funds for ongoing research to beat Parkinson’s! We went to Boston to celebrate and join together once again with everyone from Massachusetts communities who have helped the Foundation reach this incredible milestone! Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide everything people with Parkinson’s need to live better — from lifesaving resources to delivering quality care to people living with Parkinson’s to improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.” To read more about the New England Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation, click here. Parkinson’s Fitness is proud to be a Parkinson’s Foundation community grant recipient!
Parkinson’s Fitness was represented at this year’s walk by Linda and Keith Hall’s son, Max, along with his girlfriend, Annie Andrews, and their puppy, Nala. With appreciation, THANK YOU!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Living with Parkinson’s: Mind, Mood and Motion
November 17, 2022
We participated in a free educational programin Wenham, MA held on November 17, 2022 to emphasize the impact physical activity can have on the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, as well as mood and thinking changes. This program was supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation and open to people with Parkinson’s, their family, friends and the community. There was no charge to attend, but registration was necessary to secure seating space.
Program presenter: Anna DePold Hohler, MD, FAAN Chair, Department of Neurology at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Professor of Neurology at Tufts University School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor at Boston University School of Medicine
When: Thursday, November 17, 2022; 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET (Check-in and Resource Fair starts at 1 p.m.)
Where: Gordon College – The Chairman’s Room at the Ken Olsen Science Center (KOSC) | 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984
________________________________________________________
Thank you to all the participants and donors who were part of our team on October 30th!
On Sunday, October 30th, we enjoyed a perfect day at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Run/Walk in Swampscott, MA. The event has helped to raise funds to help research and hopefully eradicate Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Fitness was a proud Community Partner, and we met lots of new friends. Deb and Bill helped tremendously, and Parkinson’s Fitness instructors Dianna Daly and Kim Crowley led a great warm up for the participants too. Thank you to all who donated and participated! Our team raised $3,100 and the whole Swampscott event raised $120,000!
______________________________________________________
September 1, 2022
SYMPOSIUM CANCELLATION NOTICE
We were disappointed to announce that the September 24th Parkinson’s Fitness Symposium scheduled at the Danvers YMCA was cancelled due to low registration responses. We were looking forward to seeing everyone and anticipate planning future community events that will bring us all together.
Those people who pre-registered to attend the symposium received a full refund. We encourage visiting the Resources section of our Parkinson’s Fitness website (https://parkinsonsfitness.org/living-well-resources/) to access helpful tools for maintaining mobility, strength, and a healthy lifestyle.
Sincerely,
Keith and Linda Hall and our Parkinson’s Fitness Team
|
|
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 “BUILDING RESILIENT LIVING FOUNDATIONS” SYMPOSIUM
WAS WONDERFUL!
More than words of gratitude can truly convey…thank you, everyone!
“Building Resilience Foundations”
September 14th
Danvers YMCA
Left to right:
Melanie Giles, Marie Lucey, Dr. Stephanie Bissonnette, Linda Hall (Parkinson’s Fitness co-founder), Anne Muskopf, Stephanie Recchia
Parkinson’s Fitness Strength & Conditioning Instructor, Kim Crowley (left), symposium participant Ron Gagne, and Balance in Motion instructor, Dianna Daly (right)
An attentive audience of 125 throughout the symposium!
Audience arrival begins!
Our symposium sponsors and supporters
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THANK YOU, BOWLERS & CHEERING SQUADS
We had so much fun at the bowling fundraiser!
To ALL of you who came – or donated if you couldn’t – your support is so important for keeping our programs available!
Some couples who didn’t know others really well didn’t let that stop them from jumping in to join the fun. Some who said they were just there to support and watch tried their hand at bowling and “had a blast” according to class instructor, Dianna Daly! Bowling is a tremendous balance challenge, and the ball-rolling approaches some people adapted were really impressive!
As an official ice cream “scooper”, class instructor Kim Crowley swears she’ll hold secret the names of those who came back to her for seconds! And we send a special shout-out to Laurie G. and Pauline and Dave E. for arriving early to help set up, and to Laurie for being THE best “raffle girl”! Congratulations to those who won the Red Sox and the beach-themed raffles!
SCORING STRIKES AGAINST PARKINSON’S !!
Challenge family members, neighbors and friends, and invite fellow bowling league members to join in the fun at our annual mini-fundraiser to help sustain our Parkinson’s exercise, movement, music therapy, and educational programs!
We bowled from 5 to 7 PM and afterward shared “bragging rights” while enjoying a slice of pizza, beverages, delicious cake and locally-made ice cream!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Our Feet Are Made for Walking…
Our Arms Are Made for Swinging…
Our Voices Are Made for Talking and Singing…
Clinical studies have shown that rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), using rhythm and music, significantly improved gait and upper extremity function for stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions.
Auditory stimuli have been used in the motor rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson’s disease, who increased their walking speed, stride length, and stability after RAS training, an approach that uses rhythmic cues to improve motor function.
We welcomed 30 people to our 8-week “Moving to the Beat” neurologic percussion series led by staff from MedRhythms Neurologic Music Therapy of Boston at the Danvers Community YMCA, 34 Pickering Street. Free classes were held on Wednesday afternoons from 1 – 2 PM.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Thank you to all who attended our “Evening of Spirit and Song” annual fall fundraiser. We appreciate your support!
******************************
Thanks to all who came out to support our annual
SCORE A STRIKE AGAINST PARKINSON’S!
Candlepin Bowling & Ice Cream Social
We had a great time raising awareness around Parkinson’s Disease and funds for our programs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to ALL who attended our free educational seminar in collaboration with MedRhythms Neurologic Music Therapy. Guests heard MedRhythms CEO Brian Harris explain the relationship between music and neuroscience and technology.
We hope to provide more educational seminars throughout the year. Please visit our event page again soon to learn more.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column]
