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By & for those affected by Parkinson’s disease
September 2022
From The Board
Act Now to End Parkinson's
 
The National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (H.R. 8585) has monumental potential for accelerating a cure. Listen here for an assessment of this legislation and ask your Congressional representative to support this bill. The MJ Fox Foundation’s Take Action page makes it easy to submit a prepared email to your representative. And don’t forget to ask your friends and family to get in touch with their representative too. We need everyone to speak up and be counted!
Save the Date
September Virtual Speaker Forum
Hope and Reality on the Path to Curing Parkinson’s Disease: My perspective as a patient, scientist, and entrepreneur with Matt Jacobson

Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm

For more information & registration click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October Ask the Experts Round Table:
Speech And Swallowing Challenges With Parkinson’s

Speakers: Alyssa "Lyssa" Rome and Julie Hicks, Speech Language Pathologists, and PD Active Member Janelle Reinelt

When: Tuesday, October 11
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. PT

For more information click here.
Register here.
PAST EVENTS
The recording and slides from last month’s presentation on research at the Stanford lab of Dr. Helen Bronte-Stewart, as well as other past events can be seen on the PD Active Past Events Page.
PD Active depends on donations to bring programs like this to our members free of charge. We remain grateful for your contributions.
Classes & Programs
New! Greeter Committee Forms to Orient the Newly Diagnosed 

Realizing that receiving a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can be overwhelming and disorienting, a new group of PD Active members volunteered to help people find their way forward. Anyone who would like to talk to a member with PD about navigating life with PD can sign up on the website to receive a phone call. See the "Newly Diagnosed" box on this page.
Carepartners Are Welcome to Join PD Active Classes

Carepartner Amy Scheinbaum recommends it. "My husband, Mike Gabel, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease nine years ago. I have joined Mike at Dance for PD from the first day and since Covid I have been able to join Vickie’s PD Yoga classes on Zoom. At dance I quickly became attached to so many class members and have enjoyed the supportive and loving community we developed. When I participate, I feel that I am learning more, empathizing more, being helpful to Mike and to others, and having a lot of fun and getting good exercise at the same time. Joining one's partner in these classes reduces isolation and disconnection while there are opportunities for building new friendships and strengthening your relationship with your partner."
New! Special Sessions of Yoga for PD with Vickie Russell Bell

Yoga for the Upper Body: Improve the alignment and comfort of the neck, shoulders and upper back with a focus on mobility, flexibility and strength.
Mondays 3:00–4:15 pm PT – September 26, October 3, 10 

Yoga for the Lower Body: Create greater ease and openness in the feet, calves, hamstrings and hips. 
Mondays from 3:00–4:15 pm PT – October 31, November 7, 14

More information & registration here.
Spanish Support Group

PD Active started a new support group in Spanish for people with Parkinson’s and their families. The group met for the first time on August 31. For information about future group meetings, email espanol@pdactive.org or call Jen ‪(510) 200-8044‬

Check out the PD Active Monthly Calendar for listings of upcoming live-stream movement classes such as Tai Chi, boxing, yoga and voice. 

For more information, contact programdirector@pdactive.org.
Community Update
Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo
PD Active will have a table at this free event for older adults living in Alameda County. This event promotes health and wellness for Aging Adults, and includes free food, music, fun and more. Find out ways to get involved and help improve the quality of life for seniors throughout Alameda County. 

When: Thursday, September 29th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Where: Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland CA

Register in advance here.
Promoting Health and Wellness for 55+ Adults
The MERI Center at UCSF

The UCSF MERI Center focuses on helping patients and their caregivers cope with serious illness. Their classes on "Living with a Serious Illness" and "Sustainable Caregiving for Care Partners" both focus on support for those with neurologic illnesses.

More information about their classes here.
Thank you to our Recent Donors
Donations in Memory Of
Christa Burgoyne – in memory of Jill (Jenifer) Peale
Daniel Jarmel – in memory of Lee Shapiro
Judith Lubman – in memory of Vivian Hirshen
Patrica Winks – in memory of Jill (Jenifer) Peale

Donations
Nancy Gardner
Martine Makower and Joe Keffer
Nancy Palmer