We've got a favor to ask you this week. We're in the midst of completely redoing our website and one of the things we'd like to include on our home page are *your stories* about how we've helped you.

It's important for us to be able to share how the information, exercise classes, Lunch & Learns, support groups and other services PSCKY provide help people. We can talk about our services, and we can show statistics about what we do and how we help, but there's really nothing like a personal story to communicate what we're all about.

We're asking for you to email us (Jinn@pscky.org) with a brief story of how we've helped support you or someone you love. Just the other day, I was privileged to hear a lady who's doing our "Chair Yoga" classes tell me how these classes have helped her: with balance and with mood. It's the sort of story that gave me encouragement to hear, and I believe it's the sort of story that would challenge someone else with PD to try something new. And it's also the sort of story that I'd love to share with generous donors who make PSCKY's programs and services possible.

Your story doesn't need to be fancy, or long. You don't need to be a "great writer". We'd just like a small paragraph about something we've done that has helped that you'll let us share with others. We do not need to use your real name, if you'd rather not share that, though we'd be honored if you'd let us use your name and your picture in these brief testimonials. Thanks for helping us with this project!

Several of you have shared with us how tandem bicycling is helpful in your exercise. Last week, our friend Susan Dobina, with The Forum at Brookside, forwarded this great article on "Cycling for a Cure: assisted exercise show positive results for Parkinson's patients" from the Kent State Magazine.

Synchronicity is a funny thing; last week, PSCKY friend, volunteer & former board member Katherine Autin sent me a link to the Theracycle, a motorized bike with a twist that helps keep you up to speed: "The motor only engages if it detects that your arms or legs need assistance to stay on pace with your selected routine."

The concept of "forced exercise" and its benefits to your health and your brain make sense to me. Whether the "force" comes from the challenge of a partner's higher pedaling speed, or the "force" comes from a motorized challenge...this seems something worth trying. A good tandem bike cost around $200. While the cost of the Theracycle is not stated on the manufacturer's website, discussion on PD support boards indicates it's around $3000, though you may be able to get a used one, including from the manufacturer, Exercycle.

You may wish to take note of the upcoming non-denominational Christian Healing Conference sponsored by St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church the weekend of 25-27 September. The two day event will explore topics of physical healing, emotional healing, spiritual healing, relational healing, and eternal healing. Got questions? We found the FAQ page informative. The event is free & open to the public; advance registration is requested and can be done on-line.

Hands down, this is the COOLEST site we saw on the web last week: the Parkinson's Friendly Home. Visit each room of the Home to see how you can make changes that increase your home's "Parkinson's Friendliness" and your safety.

In the care section of the same site, we were also impressed with the down-loadable Doctor's Visit Checklist. This simple form helps you come to doctors' visits prepared to make the most of the visit, and help your doctors manage your Parkinson's Disease. We plan to include this checklist in our information packs here at PSCKY.

Other useful forms? You might consider using this form for an overview of all your medicines. Another form, from Stalevo, provides a one-page medicine dosing schedule for multiple meds. Finally, this chart from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation has space for you to record side-effects from meds, which is especially handy in the weeks leading up to a doctor's visit.

Don't forget, we also still have wallet-sized PD-specific "emergency info" cards available here at the office, and we're happy to send you some; just let us know by email (info@pscky.org) and make sure to include your mailing address.

Tuesday, September 8th, Noon: Louisville Area "Chair Yoga" class at Yoga at Crescent Hill (Crescent Hill UMC, 201 S Peterson Ave).

Saturday, September 12th, Noon: Louisville Area "Chair Yoga" class at Yoga at Crescent Hill (Crescent Hill UMC, 201 S Peterson Ave).

Monday, September 14th, 5:30pm: Sure Steps for Care Partners support group. This month meeting at Tumbleweed (8609 Citadel Way 40222 off Hurstbourne Lane). Open to ALL care partners of people with PD. Call Debbie at 599-9461, 618-0658 or email dzbuckler@hotmail.com for more info or to RSVP to the meeting.

Monday, September 14th, 6:30pm: Shelbyville "Moving On" Exercise Group (Jewish Hospital Shelbyville Community Room (rear of hospital)).