By Marty Coffin Evans
Approximately 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease, a number that will increase as the population grays.
“You have Parkinson’s!” is not a diagnosis anyone wants to hear. But, if you have it Northern Colorado is the place to be. Cutting edge research programs are on-going at the University of Colorado Anschutz campus and other like institutions. Targeted voice and physical therapy programs along with day-to-day support the make daily challenges of living with Parkinson’s more do-able.
Whether you are a Person with Parkinson’s (PwP), family member, or friend, you are encouraged to find and take advantage of the available resources. Individuals may have Parkinson’s but it doesn’t have to have them.
Until quite recently, exercise was not necessarily recommended for PwPs. At Boulder’s YMCA, 20 or so PwPs exercise vigorously in a class designed especially for them by Gary Sobol (gzsobol@aol.com). People who had difficulty walking unaided a few months ago now could rise out of a chair on their own, bounce medicine balls, and generally have fun. Programs such as this are spreading across the country enabling PwPs to take more control over their lifestyle.
Because Parkinson’s is different for every person, often being called a designer or snowflake disease, exercise programs must be tailored to the individual. Non-motor symptoms, not widely recognized or acknowledged until recently including some within the neurology field, are now the target of much research. Motor symptoms are known only too well.
Many PwPs believe they can do everything they did before but to a lesser extent or level. They can still participate in activities such as golfing, hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, dancing, yoga, and even the Bolder Boulder.
Many support options exist in this area including traditional support groups which offer fun and camaraderie. The Vitality Walk scheduled for June 1 at Sandstone Ranch in Longmont provides another easy opportunity to meet some local PwP groups.
Resources: John Dean (Parkin- son’s Program Coordinator/Mountain States Division, John_Dean@ lcca.com; Phinney Foundation, Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies; http://www.parkinsonsnetwork.org/ success-stories