_ _ it just got real Why? Read on
Parkinson’s is a
complex disease, here are some ways to
manage Parkinson’s symptoms. Note, the word is managing not reversing,
arresting, or stopping. We live in a big country, even though
Australia has a good health care system there are many regional areas without Pd
specialists or Pd nurses. Self care is
necessary, in one year, most People living with Parkinson’s spend 1 hour in neurological
healthcare and 8,765 hours in self-care. So get into life and learn about how
to monitor your Parkinson’s. No one else will be doing it for you.
Be Master of
your own ship.
Some things I have
found:
Exercise – Walking
with BIG movements, PDWarrior, Dance for Parkinson’s, Pedaling for Parkinson’s.
Exercise is medicine.
Research – being
involved in clinical research programs formulates relationships with health
professionals whose innovative ideas assist PLwP.
Activities and fun
– hobbies, creative interests, weekly groups, learning opportunities. Art and
crafts, painting, woodwork. Mental health is greatly improved with
participation in choirs, group projects and being creative. Music is a definite mood changer;
radioparkies.com has opened a world of opportunities.
Meditation and
mindfulness – Being present in the moment and focus on the smaller things that
sometimes go unnoticed, like the trees outside the window when you are washing
up. Setting aside time to concentrate on
what is happening now, the breath. Drawing and colouring, puzzles and gardening.
We need choice
Introducing: Parkinson’s
Fighters United Inc.
Bringing Non
Contact Boxing and other activities to Brisbane’s Parkinson’s population.
A newly formed Not
For Profit Organization whose mission is to improve the lives of Queenslanders
living with Parkinson’s Disease through the provision of a targeted non-contact
boxing program.
Where did this
idea come from?
Back in 2013 I
visited the World Parkinson’s Congress in Montreal, having applied for and
awarded a travel grant to assist my Poster Presentation in the category of Living
well with Parkinson’s. My paper “Accessibility to Parkinson’s Specific
Exercise” recognized the shortage of affordable Parkinson’s specific exercise
programs and activities available in Brisbane. Being able to get out of the house and wanting
to participate only to find that exercise groups are oversubscribed and at
inappropriate facilities e.g., hospitals, is a barrier to better health.
On the way home
through Dallas I attended a Parkinson’s specific Non Contact boxing class at
Fort Worth run by Paulie Ayala, a boxing champ from USA.
In 2016, the 4th
World Parkinson’s Congress in Portland, Rock Steady Boxing Non Contact Boxing
was very popular in the Renewal Room. Matt and I were part of a large group of PLwP,
supporters, Physios etc. all getting sweaty whilst punching, ducking and
weaving. For me it was one of the highlights of the WPC, feeling the Parkie
power, seeing the smiles on all the faces and feeling the sense of belonging.
Back in Brisbane
with renewed energy and increased verve to make it a reality for people with
Parkinson’s here. The barriers that existed to this becoming reality fell in July,
resigning from a role that I had no longer any patience for. Making way for
positivity and hope. The Team that is making it real is a group of women with
Pd; they care about making change happen and want more choice. Striving for
better health and providing opportunities for improved outcomes for
Queenslanders’ with Parkinson’s. It is
refreshing to hear YES!!
More about
Parkinson’s Fighters United Inc. as the group gets into action. The group is an
Incorporated Association; a launch party will be happening soon, the PFU Inc
logo is being created, a location announcement, public awareness and publicity.
Visit www.riggare.se
No comments:
Post a Comment