August 2019 Newsletter and Calendar
September Forum - Dr. Liza Ashbrook on Sleep Disorders in Parkinson's Disease
Dr. Liza Ashbrook, a neurologist from UCSF, will discuss common sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, restless leg syndrome and REM sleep behavior disorder. The talk will address symptoms of these disorders, how often they are seen in Parkinson's disease, how they are diagnosed, and how they are treated.

Dr. Ashbrook's research focuses on circadian rhythm disorders and the impact of sleep-wake patterns during hospitalization.
Date : Saturday, September 14, 2019
Time : 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ​
1924 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA 94709
Trouble registering? Contact us at info@pdactive.org or (510) 479-6119.
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This October, Annual PD Active Picnic
Come be in great company and enjoy great food at PD Active's annual picnic potluck. Mark your calendars. This premier PD Active social event is not to be missed.

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019
Time: 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. ​
LocationLive Oak Park, Picnic Area #2,
enter at 1245 Walnut Street, Berkeley
PD Active Monthly Calendar

The calendar includes classes initiated with financial support from PD Active.

Save the Dates
Forum with Dr. Liza Ashbrook on 9/14/2019 at 10:30 a.m.
Annual Picnic on 10/6/2019 at 12:30 p.m.
Forum with Angela Rusher, PT on 1/11/2020 at 10:30 a.m.
Forum with Neurobiologist David Presti on 4/18/2020 at 10:30 a.m.
In The News
Survey Responses and Comments at Town Hall Generate Ideas . . . .
The August PD Active Board meeting focused on feedback received from you via the Town Hall and survey.  Here are a few topics that bubbled up:

  • The speaker forums are popular and attract more than 100 attendees regularly.  Many find these events particularly useful not only for content provided but also for networking within the PD Active group. The board will consider ways to enhance the current forum format to include more time for networking and seek to engage speakers on topics suggested.
  • Many would like to see PD Active get more productively involved with the medical community. Kaiser Permanente was mentioned frequently. The board will investigate ways to engage and strengthen the relationship with medical professionals.
  • The PD Active community is full of talented members who are willing to volunteer their expertise to help PD Active grow. To the 40+ members who offered their services, we say “thank you” and you can expect to hear from a board member soon.
  • The board will review data about classes (schedules, locations, fees, class size) with an eye to enhancing access wherever possible.

Thank you to all who contributed ideas at the Town Hall and via the survey. There’s much more material to consider for future action and we will report as we undertake additional topics.
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Welcome New PD Active Board Members
PD Active is pleased to announce that we have two new board members, Judi Ettlinger and Adam Mizock.
Judi was the marketing director at Truitt & White Lumber in Berkeley, Calif. until 2008. This work brought her to collaborate with private industry, public agencies and non-profits resulting in Judi becoming a founding member, vice president and long-serving board member of Build It Green. 

From 2009 to 2018 Judi worked at StopWaste, an Alameda County public agency, in communications and outreach leading a variety of impactful initiatives and campaigns. A year before retiring, she was diagnosed with PD and now brings her drive and enthusiasm to this new personal challenge. Judi is encouraged and impressed by the engaged, committed PD community in the East Bay and looks forward to being an ongoing, contributing member.
Adam is an attorney who specializes in investment management law. He has worked at BlackRock since 2009 (most recently serving as General Counsel of BlackRock’s FutureAdvisor subsidiary). Prior to this, he worked for Barclays Global Investors, and the Paul Hastings law firm.

Adam has served on several nonprofit boards, including Tehiyah Day School (with 5 years as Board president) and the Jewish Federation of the East Bay. Adam has a JD, a Master’s Degree in Government Administration, and a B.A. in Philosophy. Prior to attending law school, Adam was a senior consultant in the public sector practice at KPMG. Adam was diagnosed with Young Onset PD last summer. Adam is thankful for the PD Active community and is looking forward to helping strengthen it further.
Community Updates
Perspectives from the Recent World Parkinson Council
Numerous PD Active members attended the recent World Parkinson Congress in Kyoto, Japan -- several even performing dance pieces. We're pleased to be able to share two post-event perspectives from Norm Frankel, PD Active Board Treasurer, and Nancy Husari, MJFF Ambassador.

Our apologies for the link to these pieces not working last month. To read Norm and Nancy's full perspectives, click here.

Note: Norm and Nancy's attendance of the World Parkinson Congress was not subsidized by PD Active.
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A Dancer's Perspective of the World Parkinson Congress
Claudine Naganuma, teacher of PD Active's Dance for PD ® class, first attended a World Parkinson Congress six years ago. Here's an excerpt on her piece about her unique experience of the congress:

It was heartwarming to hear that the dance teachers in Tokyo are excited about fostering Dance for PD classes in Japan. As different as our cultures are, I am inspired and invigorated anew to see how dance universally can impact our bodies, our sense of self, and our connections to one another. 

To read Claudine's full account of her experience and history at the World Parkinson Congress, please click here.

*Photo of dNaga courtesy of the World Parkinson Congress.
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On the Move: A Free Wellness Program for People with Parkinson’s
Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is offering a free 8-week class called On the Move: A Wellness Program for People with Parkinson’s. This program is open to people of all levels and abilities. Family and care partners are also welcome. The program will be taught by SMU faculty and students from the Department of Physical Therapy.

Session 1: Initial assessment and program orientation
Sessions 2-7: PWR! ®, yoga, and education
Session 8: Reassessment, next steps/transition to home practice, other community programs

Space is limited to 8 participants; please contact Dr. Hardage if you’d like to participate.
Date:Fridays starting October 4, 2019
Time: 1:30-4:30 p.m. ​
Details and Registration: Jason Hardage, PT, DPT, DScPT, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at 510-879-9200, ext. 7343
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River of Dreams Pajama Party - BBT Dance for PD ®
Enjoy a night of music, dancing, and slumber party fun! Experience the exceptional tunes by Idol Hands, local gourmet pizza, and exciting silent auction prizes.

Proceeds from the event benefit twice-weekly free dance classes for people affected by Parkinson's disease. Costumes are encouraged!
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2019
Time: 5-7:30 p.m. ​
Location: BBT Studios, 1370 Tenth Street, Berkeley CA 94710
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San Jose Taiko Class Starts this September
San Jose Taiko will again be offering an 8-week taiko drumming class. It'll be Tuesdays starting on September 3rd. Community Member Cathy Quides has taken this class and gives it a glowing review.

This video has clips from the class and shares testimonials.

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Don't Forget to Carry Emergency Contact Info
Here is a handy guide for preparing emergency medical information. We urge all community members to prepare this information and keep it accessible and on your person at all times. Above all keep the name and number of the person to contact with your health care card. 

If you have an iPhone you should fill out the   Health app that comes with the phone. This app can be used in emergency even if the phone is locked.

If you have an Android phone, here are   instructions for adding emergency info to your lock screen.

Thank you, Donors
Alan Lazare
Kerri and Mark Lubin

Gifts in Memory of Patricia Needle
Julia Appel
Connecticut On-Line Computer Center (matching donation)
Patricia Fitzgibbon
Marguerite Lessard
Linda and Mitchell Myers
Steven Patch
Rochelle Weil
How to Donate
PD Active is a 501(c)(3) so contributions are tax-deductible. Tax ID: 26-3302461
Up Your Impact, Give Monthly
Contact us to set-up up a monthly, recurring donation to PD Active. It's easy to do, and secure. We would be happy to tell you more and walk you through the process. You can set-up a recurring gift for any amount and every contribution is meaningful. Email us at  info@pdactive.org or call at (510) 479-6119.
We rely on you, our generous PD Active members, and your friends and family members, for our core financial support. It's easier than ever to help:

  • To donate by credit card
  • To donate by postal mail: PD Active, P.O. Box 9246, Berkeley, CA 94709
  • To donate by PayPal

Use Your IRA : You no longer need to wait until the end of the year to distribute your required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA. A quick reminder that if you are over 70 1/ 2 you are eligible to use your RMD to make tax-free donations to qualified charitable organizations. No gift is too small, so please keep us in mind when evaluating your IRA.

Contact Judith Lubman at  development@pdactive.org   or call (510) 479-6119 for other types of donations such as:
    
  • Recurring credit card donations
  • Stock or Donor Advised Funds
  • Planned Giving - Property or other assets through your will or estate plan
  • Automobile
PD Active Activities, Descriptions & Locations

PD Active Calendar: www.pdactive.org/calendar/

PD Active Class Information: www.pdactive.org/programs/

PD Active Support Group Information: www.pdactive.org/support-groups/
Local Classes for People with PD

 www.pdactive.org - (510) 479-6119 - info@pdactive.org