The photo above is of the Golden Wattle – the floral emblem of Australia. We saw lots of them when we went for a walk at a nearby national park last weekend. We were reminded of this uplifting saying, “This here’s the wattle, the emblem of our land. You can stick it in a bottle, you can hold it in your hand.” Any other Monty Python fans out there?

This week the Royal Adelaide Show came to town! It’s an agricultural show and South Australia’s biggest event with up to half a million people attending every year. (Thank you, Wikipedia!) So the residents at the assisted living where my mum lives don’t miss out, they had they’re own Show today. There were displays of flowers, and crafts like knitting, doll and teddy bear collections, a cupcake competition, clowns, and some baby animals. A staff member who rescues and rehabilitates marsupials brought in a baby brushtail possum.

Mum sat quietly with a baby rabbit in her lap for most of the afternoon, just stroking it and smiling, and watching the antics of the other animals. She’s sad that I’m going home soon so this was a wonderful, calming distraction. Mum grew up in Berlin during World War Two and had a pet rabbit which ended up on the dinner table during a lean time. Neither mum nor her parents were able to enjoy it, but their guests sure did! I was hoping that this delightful bunny wouldn’t remind mum about her pet until she commented that she had no plans to eat this little fellow. I was glad the owners didn’t overhear her and I didn’t have to explain why mum would say that, although I could have reassured them that she’s been a vegetarian for 35 years.

After the animals went home and we said farewell to Smokey the bunny, we enjoyed tea and scones in the dining room. The cupcakes to the left were just too cute to eat but they did win the prize for “best decorated” in the cupcake competition!

Perspectives: Parkinson’s SA Exhibition 2018

Earlier this week I caught up with friends at Parkinson’s South Australia at their annual art exhibition. The theme this year is Perspectives. The featured artists were all people living with Parkinson’s as well as a few caregivers, and this year I noticed more variety in the art work. There were paintings, photographs and poems, but also tote bags, painted sneakers, scarves and jewelry. Most of the items were available for sale, including booklets that a couple of the poets had created of their poetry.
Many of the artists attend an art class called Brushlines organized by Parkinson’s SA, and where they explore different art mediums. There’s also a photography group, and many of the featured photos were contributed by their members. Anne Heard, PSA’s Group Programs Coordinator, showed me around the displays and told me about the various contributors (bios were pinned near their artwork). The story of two ladies was particularly memorable. Carol is living with Parkinson’s, while Susanne was first diagnosed with MS and then also with Parkinson’s. They met at a community craft group and now work together to raise awareness for both conditions.

Do you remember when we talked about things that we collect at our cafes in August? I was pretty excited when I saw this photo at the exhibition! I reckon Terry would have a lot to chat about with Edward at Cafe Fairfax 🙂

As for what’s new in Northern Virginia, I heard about a couple of programs this week that might be of interest to you. One in Fairfax, the other is online.

THRIVE:  Supporting People With Parkinson’s Through Yoga Therapeutics
Carolyn Bagdoyan, a local Yoga Therapist who has visited our cafes is offering her program for people living with Parkinson’s again this fall.
THRIVE is a specialized, intimate program to designed to help build a toolbox of techniques to apply to the unique needs of each participant–to help respond to “what shows up” each day–whether the need is to manage energy, uplift mood, reduce anxiety, alleviate body tension, or build greater internal physical balance, stamina and support.
THRIVE uses a unique combined format of private sessions and supportive small-sized community classes to help participants nurture a personal customized self-care practice. The community classes will include time to review and reinforce what each student is working on with their customized program so that the practices can become more integrated and supported in daily life. The group classes for this program will be held on Saturdays at 10am, starting October 6th at the Fairfax Presbyterian Church located at 10723 Main Street, Fairfax.
If you know someone with Parkinson’s who you think could benefit from this unique opportunity, please be in touch or forward this along. Registration has begun. Reach out for additional details!
Contact: Carolyn Bagdoyan, RYT 200, LFYP
Email: hearttreeyoga@gmail.com   |   Phone: (703) 862-5922
Website: www.HeartTreeYoga.com

Ask the Expert Webinar: How Cognitive Health Influences Fall Risks
This FREE webinar comes to us with thanks to our northern friends at the Parkinson Society British Columbia in Canada:
When: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 10:00am – 11:00am
Location: Via webinar. Instructions on how to access the presentation will be sent out 24 hours before the webinar’s start time.

Barbara Adams, Physiotherapist and Clinical Director for PhysioCare At Home, graduated from Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy in 1984 and gained experience working in cardiac rehabilitation, intensive care, neurology and geriatrics. After 18 years with the Capital District Health Authority in Nova Scotia, Barbara transitioned into the private practice world. Barbara works actively in Falls Prevention for the elderly. In March, she participated in a CBC radio interview on preventing falls for seniors, and now on October 23, the Society will have her speak on this very topic.
Click here to register today to reserve a spot for yourself, your household or group! If you will be watching the webinar on the same computer or screen as another person or group, only one registration is required.
Where permitted by presenters, Parkinson Society British Columbia will make recordings of their webinars available. Their webinar recordings can be found on their YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ParkinsonSocietyBC and emailed to event registrants, if available, following the presentation. If you are unable to attend a session, they recommend you review their YouTube channel.

I hope to see you out and about soon! Our first cafe for the fall will be next Wednesday, September 12 at Cafe McLean!

Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org