American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA)
Virginia Education Day – September 28, 2019

Breakout session: Meal Planning with an Anti-Inflammatory Approach
I just received the PowerPoint for this session which is great news for you because I wasn’t able to write fast enough to share all the good information in this presentation. Click here for explanations, suggestions, menu ideas, and recipes!

One of our Parkinson’s friends, John Williams, has asked me to share that an article written by him was recently published in Ability Magazine. To be honest, I hesitated. I usually deliberately share messages that are solely upbeat because as I wrote in a recent blog post, I learned at a recent APDA Education Day that a positive outlook “helps people put one foot in front of the other”.

But there are times when we all deal with things that are difficult, frustrating, and painful. We don’t often talk about these things but John does, and his writing is honest and from the heart. I expect that many of our readers living with Parkinson’s may relate to parts of his story, and I am grateful that John chose to share something so deeply personal.

If you find his article hard to read as I did the first time, please keep reading because ultimately, John has a very upbeat and inspiring message. Despite the difficulties he experiences, he writes about how much he appreciates the people who support and care for him, and about his exercise routine and how helpful it is to him. At the end of his article, he has a special message, “I am determined to make sure that PD does not conquer my spirit. I intend to keep my body moving, my mind expanding and productive and to obliterate obstacles that PD throws at me. I intend to leave this life walking straight as an arrow.”

Click here to read John’s article.
https://abilitymagazine.com/john-williams-battle-with-parkinsons-disease/
John would love to hear from you, so please feel free to send him your comments to: jwilliams@atechnews.com,

Language Counts
The latest Parkinson’s Life e-newsletter includes an article entitled, Sir Billy Connolly: stop calling Parkinson’s ‘incurable’. In it he says, “Stop calling it an incurable disease, say we have yet to find the cure. Give the guy a light in the tunnel. Incurable is such an awful thing to say to somebody.”
Click here to read the entire article.

Dance for PD comes to DC!
Saturday, November 16, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
(please arrive by 10:45)
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The REACH, Studio F
2700 F St., NW
Washington, DC 20566
Enter through the Welcome Pavilion
A free movement class for persons with Parkinson’s, their families, friends and care partners offered as part of the Kennedy Center’s audience education and engagement program.
►Class offered free of charge with live musical accompaniment.
►Taught by Dance for PD founding teacher David Leventhal, from the Mark Morris Dance Group.
►No experience necessary. All levels of ability and mobility are welcome.
►Registration is required.
►Click here or call (202) 467-4600 to register.
►Reduced rate parking passes will be distributed to all registered participants.

Tips to Enjoy the Holidays Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
Thursday, November 7, 10:00 am-12 noon
At: Larmax Homes 8341 Lewinsville Road, McLean, VA
Are you living with a loved one who has dementia? Are you having difficulty thinking about upcoming family gatherings and holiday celebrations? Do you sometimes feel like you just can’t cope?Please join us for an engaging, interactive workshop to learn new ways to enjoy the holidays with your loved one & improve your relationship!

Speaker Toni Reinhart is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Positive Approach to Care™ (PAC) Certified Trainer, and recipient of Insight Memory Care’s Excellence in Memory Care Award. She has helped hundreds of people learn to understand and communicate with their loved ones living with dementia. Her informative, interactive workshops have helped educate community service groups, hospital staff, church congregations, and family care fivers to live and work better with people living with dementia.
RSVP—Lynne Haddon  lynne@larmaxhomes.com or (703) 712-2515

Caring for our Caregivers
PSN’s annual caregiver’s appreciation luncheon is filling up fast!
Click here for details and to register (scroll down on the page) on our website, or click here to download the flyer and share with your Parkinson family caregiver friends.

I hope this newsletter is helpful and we’ll see you Out & About soon!

Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
website: www.ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org