Yoga4pd

Exercise IS Medicine for Parkinson's Disease

This story follows Tammy, who was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease and found that exercise became one of the most powerful tools in maintaining her quality of life. It's an encouraging reminder of the body's remarkable capacity to adapt and respond when we continue to move.

https://healthcare.utah.edu/patient-stories/exercise-medicine-early-onset-parkinsons-disease

Exercise as Medicine for Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 50 years old, Tammy Corrigan turned to exercise to help manage her symptoms. With the support of University of Utah Health and participation in the SPARX3 clinical trial, Tammy discovered the powerful role aerobic exercise can play in slowing ...

ATTN TULSA

Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance is partnering with Ascension St. John to offer SPEAK OUT! speech therapy classes at OPA's office in Tulsa. This means there are more class times and two convenient locations for you to choose from.

Contact OPA for more information at 918.574.8499 or [email protected].


Photo: Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance

Building Your Team

If you've been diagnosed with PD, you likely already have a neurologist, or your primary care physician has at least made a referral.

Consider this: Finding a neurologist who is also a Movement Disorder Specialist is a huge win. This individual has gone through an additional 1-2 years of specialized fellowship training specifically for conditions such as Parkinson's, dystonia, ataxia, and tremors.

While a neurologist handles broad neurological care and the initial diagnoses, a Movement Disorder Specialist has advanced expertise in intricate medication management, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and more advanced therapies.

Why not start strong?
Make the calls. Gather your team. Build the relationships. Now.

Yay Tulsa!!

Despite the rain, Tulsan's came out last Saturday for the Rally Walk and raised a record breaking $175,000! Overall, more than 600 people walked at OKC, Lawton, and Tulsa Rally Walks and raised a combined $315,000 for Oklahoma Parkinson's programs.

Way to REPRESENT!!

Photo & Source: Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance

Building Your Team.

If you've recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's or other neurological disorder, it's never too soon to begin building your team. Gather your people. Fill your rolodex (do those exist anymore?). Make the appointments.

Over the coming days, I'll be detailing a list of providers you'll want in your line up. Some you'll want to bring on board right away, while others you'll simply want to ensure you've made a connection so when you need them they're ready for you.

🩺 Neurologist - ideally one who is also a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS)
🧠 Neuropsychologist - a psychologist who is also trained in neurological disorders
🙏🏼 Therapist, Counselor, Spiritual Advisor - a good therapist on your team is invaluable for your family as well as for you

Take it one step, one call, one day, at a time. 💙

Casual day at the office 😎🎸🇺🇸

Clinical trials are an integral part of making advances in treating/curing Parkinson's disease.
Have you considered participating?

Join The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research for their Third Thursday Webinar to learn what trial(s) might be right for you.

Their expert panel will walk through the process and share what to expect before, during and after a trial. It's FREE.

June 18 / 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ET
Register below.

Finding the Best Parkinson's Clinical Trial for You How can you tell if a Parkinson’s clinical trial is right for you? Research advances depend on volunteers, but it’s natural to have questions about how to pick a trial and what participation might mean for you. In this Third Thursdays Webinar, our expert panel will walk through the process and s...

I'm a feel-good ju**ie.

In the year 2000, I did not feel good.

My body was literally broken (at T12). I was in chronic pain, my mind was in a state of constant chaos, and my head simply wobbled around above my shoulders - completely disconnected from my body.

So when I find something that elevates my mind, my mood - and my ability to move - I want more of it.

Yoga did, and does, that for me. When I practice consistently, yoga makes me feel good. It also helps me think good and do good (I know that’s not proper English … whatevs).

So I will keep at it. Yoga works.
It works for me. I believe it can for you too.

VERMONT FOR THE WIN!!

“The evidence linking paraquat exposure to increased Parkinson’s risk is strong and has been building for decades. Vermont’s leadership sends a clear message: We do not have to wait to act.” (Dan Feehan, MJFF’s chief policy and government affairs officer)

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/vermont-passes-first-nation-ban-paraquat-pesticide-linked-parkinsons-disease

Vermont Passes First-in-the-Nation Ban on Paraquat, a Pesticide Linked to Parkinson’s Disease The Michael J. Fox Foundation applauds Vermont lawmakers for passing the first bipartisan bill to ban paraquat, a pesticide that increases Parkinson’s disease risk.

In her article for Davis Phinney Foundation, dance instructor Sarah Leversee explains how dancing with Parkinson's is so much more than movement. In a dance class, one learns to accept their unique dancer body; "breathing compassion into the struggling parts, breathing gratitude into the thriving parts".

Regardless of whether you chose tango or two-stepping - dancing provides the blissful sense of living in an integrated body. A body that is functioning as a whole. Even if just for one beat. 💃🏿🕺

Read the full article here:

Dance for Parkinson’s: More than Just Exercise Exercise is often the primary reason people try their first dance for Parkinson's class. Then they discover it is so much more than just a great workout.