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PSCKY
Call us!502.426.0888
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Dear Friends:
This Tuesday marks my one year anniversary with PSCKY. How time flies! I want to take a moment and thank some of the many folks who have made this first year such a pleasure and an honor....
- The world's best Board of Directors. Truly, PSCKY has a tremendously dedicated Board. I am continually in awe of the passion, talent and commitment of our Board members.
- The city's best staff. I have been blessed with two colleagues who personify the words CARING, COMPASSION and COLLABORATION. Katherine and Adina are treasures, and I am grateful for them, each and every day.
- A membership of people living with Parkinson's disease (and their loved ones!) that inspires me each day with questions, challenges me to create new programs and services, encourages me with kind words, and helps us all through volunteerism.
- A community of incredible partner organizations and supporters. Without collaboration, and without financial investment and charitable donations, we could not provide the level of support, referral, education and direct service that we are able to offer 1,000s of folks in our community.
PSCKY has come a long way in the past year. (You can read about some of last year's highlights in the Letter from the Executive Director for January 1, 2010, which is archived on this page.)
There are days when I am awe-struck by how much we need to do to meet the overwhelming need for services for folks living with PD. There are days where my heart sings with joy because I know we are making such a difference in the lives of folks living with PD. And every day, I look forward with hope, because I know there is more that we are doing and will yet do together to make sure that no one in our area faces Parkinson's disease alone.
Recently, someone called me an optimist. One of my favorite definitions of an optimist is this one from Robert Brault: "Optimist: someone who isn't sure whether life is a tragedy or a comedy but is tickled silly just to be in the play." Truth be told, we all want PD to be a thing of the past (my dearest hope is that one day soon, PSCKY will no longer be needed, because PD will have been cured). Until that time comes, it is my honor to serve our community with all the dedication, creativity and persistence I have to bring to bear to make each day brighter for those who are living with Parkinson's disease. I am tickled silly, each day, to play a small part in the extraordinary undertakings of this organization.
If you have specific suggestions about programs and services you'd like to see us offer, please call me at 502-426-0888 or email jinn@pscky.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
Jinn
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5 USEFUL THINGS ON OUR WEBSITE
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TOP 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT LIVING WITH PD
Our friend Sheryl at PDPlan4Life recently posted her reflections on the " Top 10 Things I Hate about Living with PD". Who hasn't had "one of THOSE days"? As I exited the room, my therapist asked, "Do you know your shirt is on backwards?""Of course I do," I answered. "It's a new fashion among people with Parkinson's." Humor is my weapon of choice in my daily battle with this relentless disease.PDPlan4Life is a great website, and reflects the tips, friendship, humor and wisdom of two terrific women--Jean and Sheryl--who are living with PD. |
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CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE & FEEL BETTER?
Our friends at the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation recently posted several terrific articles on mental health & Parkinson's disease. This article on Mindfulness Therapy asks the question: What if you could feel calm regardless of what is happening to your body? The article then offers some tips about how to get there! Enjoy!
We also got a lot out of this article on using the power of the placebo effect to your advantage in changing how you experience your own health. It's some pretty powerful thinking about finding your "sugar pill."
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"EVEN BIGGER" GROUP NOW REGISTERING FOLKS!
 Frazier Rehab and the Parkinson Support
Center of Kentuckiana
are partnering together to bring LSVT® Big support groups to the greater-Louisville
community. LSVT® Big is a specially
designed, exercise-based, therapy program for people with Parkinson's disease that
teaches deliberate movements to increase balance, speed of movement and size of
movement. When: Wednesdays at 7pm (starting April 7th) Where: Masonic Homes of Louisville off Frankfort Avenue In order to provide the best opportunity for involvement in the LSVT® Big community exercise program, the participant should be: - Medically stable with blood pressure, breathing, and no recent cardiac events.
- Currently taking all prescribed Parkinson's meds and be in the "on" phase of their dosage for maximal benefits during group activity.
- Compliant with their current home exercise program by performing home exercises several times a week and having completed a minimum of 8 LSVT® Big therapy sessions in the last 12 months.
- Wearing properly fitted footwear (i.e. tennis shoes or tie-up/Velcro strapped shoes) and comfortable clothing to allow for the necessary movements required with the exercises.
- Ambulatory and bring any assistive devices you may require while participating in the exercise program. People who require rest times will be allowed to sit and follow at their own pace.
- Bring a significant other (spouse, partner, child, paid caregiver) to provide assistance as needed. It is preferred that someone attend with you who will be able to consistently provide assistance with the exercises at home if needed.
- Independent with toileting activity, or a care partner continuously present to assist.
- Present and ready to begin the exercise program at 7pm and continue for one hour.
CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED! If you are interested in joining a LSVT® Big Support Group,
please call 502-426-0888 or email support@pscky.org.
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ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
 PSCKY is now on Facebook! Please "become a fan." Thanks to everyone who's joined up so far! We now have 200 "fans"...and we welcome your pictures, posts and conversations on our Facebook site. We thought you might enjoy visiting the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health's recent blog post: Tracing the Brain's Connections. |
 IN OUR COMMUNITY
The Alzheimer's Association will host a Home and Driving Safety Workshop on Wednesday, March 31st at 11:30am. MedicAlert+Safe Return enrollment will be offered with scholarships available for all workshop participants. A light meal will be served. The workshop will be held at the Alzheimer's Association (6100 Dutchmans Ln Ste 401). Call 800-272-3900 to register for this free program.
The Men's Health Initiative of the Center for Health Equity presents It's a Man's World Spring Health Festival on Saturday, April 10th from 11am-3pm at the Newburg Community Center (4810 Exeter Ave). There will be free glucose, blood pressure and prostate screenings along with a wealth of health care education and info. All male attendees who participate in the free health screenings will also be eligible to win prizes. Call 502-574-6616 for more information.
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DON'T FORGET!
MONDAY, MARCH 22nd
Noon: Lexington Area Parkinson Support Group (Crestwood Christian Church; 1882 Bellefonte Dr, Lexington). Open discussion. Please bring your lunch; drinks are provided. For more info: Tess at 859-278-2193. 1:30pm: Jinn and Adina meeting with Dr. Troutman, Director of Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, to discuss issues of concern to those living with Parkinson's disease. 6pm: Denim & Diamonds Chair Committee Meeting (Ewalds: 4868 Brownsboro Center, Louisville). Jinn will be attending. 6:30pm: Shelbyville "Moving On" Exercise Group ( Jewish Hospital Shelbyville Community Room (rear of hospital); Hospital Drive off Hwy 60). There is no cost for this group. For more information: call Dyna at 502.377.7562 or e-mail her at dynazehn@myway.com. TUESDAY, MARCH 23rd
8:30am: Jinn's one-year performance review.
Noon: Louisville Chair Yoga Group (Yoga at Crescent Hill; 201 S Peterson Avenue, 40206; lower
level). To register: email support@pscky.org or call 502.426.0888. A $10 donation is requested, but all people with Parkinson's disease and their partners are welcome to attend.
1:30pm: Adina conducting educational and screening event at KIPDA.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24th
Noon: PSCKY Lunch & Learn (Meadowview Presbyterian Church, 2944 Breckenridge Ln). This month, Rita Pate with ElderCare 4 Families will present, "Recharging Care Partners' Batteries." Rita is bringing lunch for us all; please RSVP to 502-426-0888 or support@pscky.org so that we can get a lunch count together! Thanks!
5:30pm: Young Movers & Shakers Support Group (Men Only!) This week's meeting is open discussion. To RSVP and for directions, please call Christopher at 502-415-4747.
9am: "MOVE IT OR LOSE IT!" Exercise Group (Norton Audubon Hospital, Joint Care Gym, 6th floor). Weekly mobility and movement (dance, yoga & Pilates) group led by certified instructor Amy Robinson and medically supervised by Zorre' Kimura. To register, email support@pscky.org or call 426-0888. You may join in at any time, but pre-registration is requested. There is no cost & special parking has been arranged.
11:30am: "LET'S DANCE!" Exercise Group (Dance Louisville; 8023 Catherine Ln, 40242). Weekly dance therapy support group led by students of Bellarmine's Physical Therapy department. This group is full.
12:30pm: Jinn meeting with Dyna Zehnder to discuss ways to expand the impact of PSCKY's movement programs.
6:30pm: Shelbyville "Moving On" Exercise Group (Family Activities Center at Clear Creek Parks (717 Burks Branch Rd)). There is no cost for this group. For more information: call Dyna at 502.377.7562 or e-mail her at dynazehn@myway.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 26th
7:30am-4:30pm: Jinn meeting with PSCKY's auditor to conduct 2009
audit.
Noon:
Deadline for next week's e-newsletter. If you have a question,
article
or musing you'd like to share, it's more than welcome! Please email to info@pscky.org. Thanks!
SATURDAY, MARCH 27th
11am: DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) Support Group (Milestone Wellness Center at Baptist East Hospital). Speaker in March: Colleen Knoop, UofL Movement Disorder Center. Lunch is provided, please RSVP to Lynn Hundley through the Baptist East information line: 502-897-8131 or lynn.hundley@bhsi.com. This group is open to those who've had or are considering DBS.
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Katherine Autin, Director of Support Services
Adina Cook, Director of Outreach & Training
Jinn Fuller Renfro, Executive Director |
Proud Sponsors and Partners of PSCKY 2010 Programs & Services:
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