THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN WHITTLER
The Tulip (international symbol of Parkinson's) sale project spearheaded by Jill Reid was a tremendous start to the month with Tulips being delivered by our volunteers all across Colorado Springs metro area. We netted over $680 dollars in donations plus a great deal of goodwill from surprised recipients. Great job all!
The outstanding success of the First Annual Run cannot be overstated. Thank you to all who attended to either run or walk or like me, just cheer on the athletes. A special thank you to the USAFA cadets who volunteered by the bus load. We received news coverage from Channel 5 & 30 KOAA and an interview about National Parkinson's Awareness Month from Fox 21 News. We have both on DVD if you missed them. The heroes of the Run were Dan Harding, his wife Beth, and their close friend Diane Cahalan who worked continuously for a year to make this run as success! How do we measure success? How about over 500 people in attendance?
Finally, our annual Tulip Tuesday on Saturday was staffed by Jeanne Taylor Support Group folks at the 8th street Wal Mart. Thanks so much to all those who came to meet the public and give interested people information about coping with PD. It was a great way to spread the word about the up-coming Educational Symposium.
But that is not all that happened! Let's remember that dedicated folks from our Chapter continued on-going volunteer work for us. The Eastside and
Westside Caregivers groups met as usual, providing valuable information exchange and emotional support. The music therapy classes happened every week because of your attendance and Barbara Willis being there to lead you. All of these essential programs occurred because there are those who care enough to help others. Jeanne Taylor, I
With April 2008 in the history books, let's see how much fun we can have this summer. Remember. Parkinson's does not define us. How we embrace life is what truly counts.
See you all at the Symposium on May 3rd !!! It is not at Otis Park so read the instructions carefully. Ric
Saturday, May 10th
But first we need to get your donations so we have something to sell! You can drop off your donations at the Fishy Business aquarium store. They can take items the week of the sale. Please, no large items such as cars, boats, RVs, furniture, refrigerators, etc.
If you would like to sell your own goods (and keep the proceeds) at the sale, call Allen Killebrew (540-6360) to reserve your space at Fishy Business for a small donation of $15.
Look for the May 10th Sale flyer in this newsletter.
The proceeds of the sale will benefit several organizations, JTPSG being just one of them. When you drop off your items be sure to let them know which organization the items are for. See you there!
July 5th and August 2nd: In lieu of the usual meetings this summer, we will have potluck picnics between 11 AM and 1 PM. Main dish will be provided and you can bring your favorite picnic dish. The July picnic will be at Monument Valley Park and the August picnic at America the Beautiful Park. Flyers with more information will be available at the Symposium on May 3rd, and in the June newsletter.
Be gentle with yourself and learn as you exhale to not only breathe out, but to let go of ideas that are nagging you. Your shoulders carry the load of the body so when you lift, it should be with your legs and not your shoulders. Be peaceful with yourself. Your mental and emotional load will affect your chest. Try not to overuse your body.
Create a cosmic view, not just a mental view. Expand your horizons. Your body is made up of electricity which must flow evenly for good health. Your body is cleansing itself all the time.
QUESTION:
Does anyone know anything about the drug Apokyn? If so, please share the information with the support group.
U.S. News - Men with naturally high levels of the antioxidant urate in their blood appear to develop the symptoms of Parkinson's disease slower than those with lower levels do, a new report says. The findings, published in the April issue of the Archives of Neurology, support early laboratory studies about urate's protective qualities and offer hope for future disease therapies to delay Parkinson's symptoms such as tremors, rigidity and difficulty walking and talking.
"These findings, combined with prior knowledge of urate's protective properties in laboratory studies, raise the possibility that urate-elevating strategies could be used to slow the neurodegeneration of Parkinson's disease," study author Michael Schwarzschild, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, said in a prepared statement.
"Potential benefits of urate have to be tempered against the known risks of elevated urate levels, which include gout and kidney stones. From what we know now, urate elevation should only be attempted in the context of a closely monitored clinical trial, in which potential benefits and risks are carefully balanced," Schwarzschild said.
The Jeanne Taylor Parkinson's Support Group (part of CPF) meets the first Saturday of each month at 10 AM monthly (except January & July, other exceptions to be noted in The Whittler) at Otis Park Community Center 731 N. Iowa St (at Dale St). Meetings followed by potluck lunch. Other useful websites: PAR (Parkinson Assn. of the Rockies)
MAY 2008 PAGE 1
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** 2008 SYMPOSIUM is this month!! **
~
Education for Parkinsonians, their Family & Caregivers
Saturday, May 3rd is the day -
8:00 - 8:55 Registration & coffee
8:00 - 8:55 Yoga Demonstration & displays
9:00 - 10:00 Opening speaker - Dr. Marks
10:00 - 11:00 Continental Brunch
10:00 - 11:00 Tai Chi Demonstration & displays
11:00 - 12:00 Closing Speaker - Todd Bischoff
See the enclosed flyer for additional details!!
And please REGISTER if you haven't done so. It's so simple:
Please just call (719) 884-0103, leave your
information & pay $5.00 per person at the door
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Mary Kellerhals, Symposium Chair, 547-9205
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Pfar-out Thoughts
Ric Pfarrer
April is National Parkinson's Awareness Month and what a great month this has been. The Governor of Colorado issued a Proclamation of Parkinson's Awareness Month on our behalf and the Mayor of Colorado Springs singled out April 6th 2008 as Parkinson's Awareness Day in support of the Awareness Run on that date.
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN WHITTLER
MAY 2008/PAGE TWO
believe, would be proud of the way we have preserved her vision of helping each other.
HUGE “PARKIN” LOT SALE!!
(Rummage Sale)
Fishy Business Parking Lot
239B Academy Place
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
637-1159
The "Parkin" Lot Sale this year is going to Rock! We will have a DJ, Hot dogs, Sodas, drawings and lots of screaming deals. Grab a friend, loved one, neighbor, maybe a stranger and swing by!
SEE YOU AT THE SYMPOSIUM MAY 3rd!!
PROGRAM FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Diana Begin
Saturday, June 7, Breakout Sessions:
Members will break into two groups: one for people with Parkinson's and one for their caregivers. You may ask other people how they handle certain issues (such as freezing, medications, caregiver resources, etc.). This is a very popular activity for most attendees.
Saturday, September 6, Breakout Sessions
Saturday, October 4, PROGRAM: Dr. Brian Grabert, M.D., Neurologist, Topic To Be Determined
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS
Westside Resource and Support Group: Friday, May 16, 10 AM at the Broadmoor Community Church on Lake Ave.
(
on the left just after the Bank at the Broadmoor and several blocks before the Broadmoor itself.) Caregivers meet in one room and patients in another with Dr. Ira Rosenbaum. For more information call Pat or Bill Hudson at 520-1154.
East Side Caregivers: Friday May 16, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
at Elfriede Smith's house, 5360 Artistic Circle, 591-0992.
Young Onset Group: There is no meeting for the month of May. Normally meets the third Saturday of each month at 10 AM at Winslow Court, 3920 East San Miguel (just east of Academy Blvd.).
The group is for all people who were diagnosed with PD at a young age, even those early-diagnosed people who are now older. Call David Currin (266-1862) with any questions.
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE . . .
Marvin Berkman 227-9009
If you're looking for a way to have fun and get exercise at the same time, come to the dances at the Senior Center at 1214 N. Hancock Ave. Several live bands take turns playing Big Band, Country, Spanish, western and old standard songs. Come on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:00 PM; on 2nd or 4th Fridays 7:30 - 9:30 PM; and 1ST Sunday of month from 1:30-3:30. No admission charge.
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN WHITTLER
MAY 2008/PAGE THREE
Come have some fun! Call the Senior Center at 385-5933 before you come to be sure the dance is a go!
JTPSG Meeting Minutes
April 3, 2008
Ric Pfarrer welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were 55 members in attendance. Linda Krager is our new member. Several announcements were made about recent and future events.
[Editor's note: Minutes pertaining to the symposium, tulip sale, garage sale, additional support groups and Run/Walk are omitted here as they are discussed earlier in the newsletter. Other minutes follow below. You may request a full set of minutes if desired.]
PROGRAM - JIN SHIN JYUTSU
Diana Begin introduced Patty Schoenstein who spoke of and demonstrated Jin Shin Jyutsu, a practice which brings balance to the body's energy, promoting optimal health and well being. Jin Shin Jyutsu is simply the Getting to KNOW (Help) MYSELF. It treats the whole body starting with skin which helps with our breathing. When trying to improve your health, you must think of your body and feed it well. That means we should reduce or not use sugar, caffeine, and nicotine. And to eat raw foods such as apples, peaches, strawberries or any fruit or vegetable in its natural state. One should drink water to keep the brain functioning, and learn to breathe correctly in order to perform the steps to better health. There are several steps one can go through to heal one's self. One thing we should learn to do is to let go of the past. Do not carry the baggage of a lifetime with you. Your body is divided into two halves, the left and the right. The left side represents your past and the right side represents the now.
Jin Shin Jyutsu is about pressure points and is somewhat like acupuncture without needles. If used properly it may help to alleviate pain, clear a cloudy head, relieve cramping, constipation, and may aid the kidney, liver, organ functions. It may also help quiet restless leg syndrome. Holding the correct finger may reduce fear, anger, sadness and “trying to.” A Jin Shin Jyutsu treatment consists of holding combinations of certain body parts (such as back of knee and back of head) to alleviate certain symptoms. For more information you may call Patty Schoenstein at 531-0789 or 264-0420.
HOORAY
:
Our own Vickie Stegner is back with a big smile on her face. Vickie assured everyone she is feeling much better and sends her thank you to all who thought of her during her illness.
Elevated Urate Levels May Slow Parkinson's in Men
Those with highest amount had almost half the risk of needing to start treatment
, 4/14/08
www.nwpf.org
NEUPRO RECALL
:
Neupro (rotigotine) was recently recalled (taken off the market) by the FDA due to incorrect absorption of rotigotine through the patch. Patients using the Neupro patch need to contact their physician and begin the process of down-titration, or gradually reducing the dose. Physicians will help their patients using Neupro through this transition-which may take a few weeks. Dr. Brian Grabert called the manu-facturer of Neupro, and the manufacturer said Neupro will be back on the market next year.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
See Inside for Details
May 3 ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM, , Senior Center, 1514 N. Hancock Avenue, 8-Noon (SEE FLYER INSIDE)
May 10 “PARKIN LOT SALE, 8 - 4, at Fishy Business, 2395B Academy Place
May 16 Eastside Caregivers 2-4 PM at Elfriede Smith's, 591-0992
May 16 Westside Support Group, 10:00 AM, Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Avenue,
Pat Hudson 520-1154
No May meeting for Young Onset Group
June 7 Regular Meeting, 10 AM, Otis Park, Program: Breakout Sessions
July 5 Summer Potluck Picnic, Monument Valley Park
August 11 Summer Potluck Picnic, America the Beautiful Park
Exercise classes
with Barbara Willis meets on Thursdays at 10:30 am at Spectrum Rehab, 8TH Street and Arcturus
Colorado Parkinson Foundation, Inc. (
www.co-parkinson.org
Colorado Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
1155 Kelly Johnson Blvd., Colo Spgs, CO 80920