Our friends at PD Plan for Life have posted a new page with tips to control nausea and relieve thirst/dry mouth. Sheryl also includes a short (and humorous) reflection on "A Balanced Diet is Overrated." We also enjoyed Sheryl's food-related thoughts on "We Do Not DO Trays!" as she explores the hazards of PD and cafeteria-style eating.

Chair Yoga Reminder

We know you get very busy around the holidays, so here's a quick reminder for you to let us know if you will be participating in Chair Yoga in January.  The dates for the January sessions are the 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th.  Please call Katherine Autin at 426-0888 or 314-8307 to register or drop her an e-mail.

 

Don't Forget:  FREE CHAIR YOGA SESSIONS for February, 2010.  This is the perfect time to try it.  We know you'll be glad you did!

1. Louisville area PWP Don Lee shared this with us via our PSCKY Facebook page: "Are you a young-onset PD patient and looking for others like yourself to compare stories and life experiences? Shoot me an e-mail!"
2. Are you a man with Parkinson's disease in your 40's or 50's? A new support group is forming just for you. This will be a self-led group. Each member will take a turn hosting the group in his home or a quiet location in his neighborhood. Men will gather to share stories, ask questions and visit with each other. If you're interested, please let us know. PSCKY is helping get this group up and running! Our thanks to Christopher Miller for meeting with us the other week to brainstorm about this group.

Dr. Jane Thibault is a gerontologist and clinical professor of Family and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, where she directs the geriatric assessment program and teaches social gerontology in the school of social work. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, teaching Pastoral Responses to Aging. We thought you might enjoy her essay on "Dedicated Suffering: Using Personal Pain to Create Loving Energy for Others." Dr. Thibault also shares her own "Unexpected Pilgrimage" as she processes what her diagnosis of lymphoma means to her and how the struggle for health impacted her emotionally and spiritually.

There is growing evidence that Tai Chi and the related practice of Qigong provide significant benefit for people with Parkinson's.  Harvard Medical School's Health Publications, May, 2009 issue described a 33-person pilot study where people with mild to moderately severe Parkinson's disease showed improved balance, walking ability, and overall wellbeing after 20 tai chi sessions.  A study done in Germany on Qigong showed it can reduce the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.  To learn more about how these two types of exercises can improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson's, you may want to read The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi and Qigong. 

 

Last week, there was a local Tai Chi demonstration at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Bardstown Road where they hold Tai Chi classes for seniors.  It was impressive to see the seniors perform precise, coordinated movements in the demonstration they provided.  The instructor informed me that Qigong is similar to Tai Chi, but is done in a stationery position, either on a chair or standing where you concentrate on your breathing.

  

If you are interested in a Tai Chi or Qigong class, please let Katherine know.  She is looking at the possibility of PSCKY organizing Tai Chi and Qigong classes in the future.  You can reach her at 314-8307 or e-mail Katherine.

PSCKY is now on Facebook! Please "become a fan." Thanks to everyone who's joined up so far!

Save the date! Soon after the holiday break, PDF will hold its third PD ExpertBriefing, entitled "Understanding Legal Issues for People with PD." The free event can be attended by phone or on-line. It requires pre-registration.