Parkinson Social Network
To view the July Newsletter, please click HERE
Watch & Discuss: Depression, Parkinson’s, and What We Didn’t See Coming
Tuesday, July 14
10:00am – 11:30am ET
(9am CT| 8am MT | 7am PT)
In this Davis Phinney Foundation Living with Parkinson’s Meetup, participants came together for an open, honest conversation about depression and Parkinson’s, a topic many experience but don’t always recognize or name. Panelists shared how depression can show up in unexpected ways—through apathy, irritability, isolation, changes in sleep and appetite, and shifts in self‑talk—often overlapping with Parkinson’s symptoms themselves.
Living with Parkinson’s Evening Gathering
Tuesday, July 28
7:00pm – 8:00pm ET (6pm CT | 5pm MT | 4pm PT)
Our Evening Gathering is for those living with Parkinson’s Disease. You are welcome to come anytime as stay for as long as you can.
Events & Resources In Our Parkinson’s Community…
- Fridays 1:00pm to 2:15pm (in-person) – The School of Dance at George Mason University offers FREE Dance for Parkinson’s Disease (Dance for PD®) classes on our Fairfax campus. Registration is required!
- Various dates and times – Exploring the Dimensions of Aging – Fairfax Co Agency on Aging
- November 12-15, 2026 – 2nd Annual YOPN Retreat! – Tampa Bay, FL
Recurring Parkinson’s Events & Parkinson’s Resources
NEW ADDITIONS
(Click on the event title for the website)
- Seated Fitness for Parkinson’s
Thursdays, 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Virtual class on Zoom
7-week session runs from Jul 16 – Aug 27, 2026
Fee: $85
Seated fitness class for those with Parkinson’s disease features chair-based exercises to improve strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health.
Led by Loretta DiGennaro. - VCU Help for Insomnia in Parkinson’s Disease
VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center is offering a free group to help people with Parkinson’s Disease who have trouble sleeping. Join in person or online. Participation involves 1.5 to 2 hours at the start and end of the study, plus weekly group sessions of 1.5 hours each for six weeks. Compensation will be provided for your time.
To be eligible to participate you must have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease and have insomnia or difficulty sleeping.
Contact williamscm2@vcu.edu or call 804-461-3436. - MeOverPD.org – MOPD provides a comprehensive list of resources designed to assist those living with Parkinson’s Disease, their Care Partners, Caregivers, family, and friends.
- Survey Study for PwPD and Care Partners – Professor Bradley McDaniels is coordinating a research study at the University of North Texas to better understand the experiences, strengths, challenges, and support needs of people living with Parkinson’s disease and the care partners who support them.
- Free Monthly Online Harmonica Classes – building from the momentum of the 2026 WPC, online Zoom classes are offered every 2nd Tuesday of each month. The classes are taught from Hawaii at 4:00pm Hawaii time (10pm ET). Lessons with be roughly 45 minutes · Open to anyone with Parkinson’s and their care partners. You will need to purchase a Harmonica in the Key of C.
- Dance for PD® Pro at The Washington Ballet
Designed for those who seek a level of mastery, comprehension, and focus through a rigorous dance experience, Dance for PD® PRO classes integrate elements of diverse dance styles to help people with Parkinson’s build and master a specific set of skills through a focused, intensive approach. Expert teachers guide participants through accelerated physical and cognitive training, technique, improvisation, and a focus on structural alignment in an intimate, friendly, personalized workshop environment. Each class includes a progressive all-standing warm up, standing barre work and traveling steps.
Session Dates: June 6, 2026 – August 29, 2026, see full schedule and breaks on Mindbody.
Class Day/Time: Saturdays at 11:00AM-12:00PM, Walk-ins welcome.
Location: NW Campus Cathedral Commons Studios (2nd floor) at 3308 Wisconsin Ave, NW – 202.349.0261
Cost: FREE
Virtual Registration
For People with Parkinson’s Disease
- SPEAK OUT! Online Home practice sessions are available each day at 11am ET/10am CT/9am MT/8am PT from Parkinson Voice Project.
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program: The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.
- Young Onset Parkinson’s Hub hosted by PMD Alliance https://www.pmdalliance.org/lived-experiences/young-onset
- Ready & Prepared 2026 (Fairfax Co.) – Be prepared for emergencies with this helpful checklist!
- Speech Therapy Sessions are available at your fingertips – free and live for the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia (DC) providing SPEAK OUT! voice therapy at no cost, contact 801-581-3506 or email speechpath@utah.edu.
- Dance for PD
- At Glen Echo Park (in-person) – https://glenechopark.org/danceforpd
- At James Madison University – JMU has in-person and Zoom online classes. For more information about this program, visit their website here.
- National program listing available at this website
- ICYMI: Power Over Parkinson’s (POP) – recorded Informational Virtual Session Julia Lidgard Parkinson’s Speech
- Parkinson’s Policy Podcast hosted by advocates Margaret Preston (Power Over Parkinson’s) and Dr. George Ackerman (TogetherforSharon®).
- UVA Moves – PD Clinic Newsletter Fall edition is available at this link – The newsletter includes clinic articles and clinical trials information.
- Dr. Dorsey mentioned in his talk in August 2025, that you can take action today and help advance research by signing up for Brain & Environment registry!
- If you are veteran with Parkinson’s, the Richmond PADRECC has many support programs for you and your carepartner. Contact Jessica Kaplan at jessica.kaplan2@va.gov or 804-675-5931 for information.
- APDA Virginia hosts exercise groups and events (online and in-person) around the state of Virginia. Learn more about these programs: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/virginia/
- Shenandoah University – Loudoun Campus is offering free SPEAK OUT! speech therapy for those living with Parkinson’s, in-person and virtual. Click here to see their flyer for more information or contact Myra Schatzki, Director of Clinical Education at myra.schatzki@su.edu or call 540-665-4634.
- Power Over Parkinson’s has an extensive listing of programs in the Richmond area for exercise and education, visit their website for more information.
- Live in Maryland? the MAPS site has an extensive listing or support groups for various parts of Maryland. Go to their website Home page, and select the Support Groups dropdown listing.
- Sign up for PD Avengers TODAY! PD Avengers is the Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease.
For Care Partners/Caregivers
- July 7, 22, 28 (various times) – Exploring the Dimensions of Aging – Fairfax Co Agency on Aging
- Second Wednesdays from 2:00pm to 2:45pm ET – Parkinson’s Family Education Group PVP hosted by Parkinson Voice Project – The topic is “Be the CEO of your Household.” Click here to register!
- Partners in Parkinson’s – Discussion and support for care partners and families of people with Parkinson’s Disease. Date/Time: First Wednesday of every month / 12:00 PM ET Meeting ID: 892 0510 3333 Invite Link: https://apdaparkinson.zoom.us/j/89205103333
- PFWPA NEW! Caregiver Evening Support Group (virtual) – Virtual evening caregiver support group meetings (on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:00 PM)
- Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program is available for residents of Virginia. Visit the Division for Aging Services site to learn more or apply.
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