Inside Parkinson's

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014. It took a while to accept the diagnosis. Once I did, I wanted to meet others with Parkinson’s. At one of the support groups, I met Chris Gaffney, Executive Director of Parkinson’s Support & Wellness. We talked and realized we had similar goals. One of the goals was to begin a support group in the Dayton area.  In 2018, I began a group called Working With Parkinson’s. The group meets monthly; generally a discussion topic is chosen in advance so people can be ready with questions or comments. Since 2018 it has become a strong group of people who lift each other up. Refer to the Working with Parkinson’s page for more information, including a contact form for questions.

I know that things are tough for everyone mentally and physically. People search for groups and people to share their common interests or issues. I recently received several requests for information about support groups in the area. Parkinson’s Support & Wellness has a page on their website which lists the Parkinson’s support groups in the tri-state area. The groups are run by the individual community leaders and not by Parkinson’s Support & Wellness. The list shows nine groups in the tri-state area, including contact information for the group leaders. We all need a little help getting by right now. Parkinson’s support groups can make a difference in your life and will help you connect to others with Parkinson’s.  See http://parkinsoncincinnati.org/support-groups for the list.

This song by The Beatles captures the idea of supporting one another perfectly:

What would you think if I sang out of tune?

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song

And I’ll try not to sing out of key

Oh I get by with a little help from my friends

Mm I get high with a little help from my friends

Mm gonna try with a little help from my friends

The Beatles, With a Little Help from my Friends. 1967