Parkinson Social NetworkCafes, Surveys, and a Handy Gadget!
We’ve had a busy week with lots of things to share with you . . .
Cafe Alexandria – July 16
We were provided with a special treat by our hosts at Brandywine Living at Alexandria to help us celebrate National Ice Cream month – a sundae bar! Check out all the toppings! Plus we had 3 flavors of ice cream to choose from. Thank you, George at Brandywine! While munching on sandwiches, salad and ice cream, we chatted about all kinds of things to do in and around DC and Northern Virginia.
Cafe Fairfax – July 18
More ice cream munching and chatting about travel! This time we talked more about how to travel whereas at our other two cafes we talked more about where to travel. An important thing we learned was that it can be a good idea to ask for help. For instance, when faced with long lines for airport security, you may be able to get to the front of the line more quickly if you explain your predicament. If you forget to buy water before boarding your flight and you need some for your meds before the drink cart comes along, just ask the attendant. I’m working on making my notes readable so I can add all these great tips to our website.
Later that day I was sent an article from this month’s Kiplinger magazine, Flight Delays – Expect more scrutiny from TSA. Some of the suggestions were along the lines of what we talked about at the cafe, such as enrolling in TSA Precheck. Click here to read the article.
One of our friends participates in Climbing for Parkinson’s at SportRock Climbing Center in Alexandria every Friday from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Last month he participated in a national adaptive competition in Ohio! He also told us about a special clinic every month at SportRock in Alexandria. It’s an adaptive rock climbing clinic for people of any age living with a physical disability (not only Parkinson’s) and organized by Catalyst Sports. Click here to check out the Catalyst Sports website.
Rock Steady Boxing NoVa in the Local News
In case you missed this news piece on local station WUSA9 on Tuesday night featuring our friends at Rock Steady Boxing Nova, click here to view it now.
EaZyHold Universal Cuff for Daily Living Assistance
I learned about this from last Friday’s Dartmouth-Hitchcock Parkinson’s Newsletter. Thank you Diane! This universal cuff grip can help you hold eating utensils, toothbrush, pens, cups . . . all kinds of things! Click here to check out the EazyHold website.
Aging Well in Alexandria
This newsletter is a collaborative communication effort between At Home In Alexandria (AHA), City of Alexandria Division of Aging and Adult Services, and Senior Services of Alexandria. Click here to read the August issue and learn about events, programs and volunteer opportunities in and around Alexandria.
A Couple of Surveys
PD Grit
Dr. Klappa, physical therapy professor at Briar Cliff University in Iowa, is doing a study on grit, exercise, and quality of life for individuals with PD. Click here for recruitment information about the study. The link to the study survey is: www.surveymonkey.com/r/8FV9ZY6
Questions? Please contact Sue Klappa PT, PhD, MPT, MA
Professor / Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Briar Cliff University, 4280 Sergeant Rd, Suite 100, Sioux City, Iowa 51106
712.279.5560 (office) | 651.335.9813 (cell)
Susan.klappa@briarcliff.edu | www.briarcliff.edu/doctor-of-physical-therapy
APDA “Needs” Survey
For the past three years, APDA has conducted a broad survey of PD constituents to determine the best way to provide programs and support to people with Parkinson’s disease and the Parkinson’s community. The Share Your Insights with APDA survey is a brief, multiple choice form. The link to the survey is below, and will be on the home page and multiple pages of the APDA website (www.apdaparkinson.org) until August 31, 2018. Here is the link to the online survey: www.aoic.net/APDASurvey2018
Questions? Contact Susan Dietrich
Coordinator,
American Parkinson Disease Association Information & Referral Center of Virginia
SJD3C@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu
Ashburn cafe next week!
Join us in Ashburn on Wednesday.
John Dresely O.D. will visit us to talk about how Parkinson’s can affect vision. If you missed his talk at Cafe Fairfax in May, please join us! Don’t forget we’ll also be munching on yummy food and . . . ice cream!
Please RSVP to help us with planning.
This is especially helpful for our hosts who are providing us lunch at no cost. Click here to RSVP.
Hope to see you out and about soon!
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
It’s Ice Cream Month Again at our Cafes!
I hope you’re enjoying this glorious weather! If you’re looking to get out and about, join us at our cafes this month where we’re sharing our stories of where we’ve been and where we’d like to go.
Cafe McLean – July 11
We had a small group at Cafe McLean this month, but we had a good time and met new friends! We were talking about travel, and it always amazes me what a small world we live in, like when people shared memories from when they lived in the same country overseas many years ago. Meanwhile, back home, if you’re looking to spend a day exploring in D.C. here are a couple of ideas. 
- DC Circulator – The Circulator is public transportation that will take you to the District’s main attractions for $1.00 or less. Yep, you read that right! There are several routes that will take you to places like Georgetown, the zoo, and Dupont Circle, as well as one that travels around the Mall. If you’re planning to see the sights around the Mall including around Tidal Basin, keep in mind that it travels counter-clockwise. There are maps and schedules and everything you need to know here, on their website.
- Inspired by “Hamilton” – From catching the show at the Kennedy Center to a guided tour at the National Gallery of Art, check out 13 different things to do in DC. Click here to see the whole list.
After enjoying our yummy lunch, (including some ice cream!), we checked out a carnival put on for the Lewinsville Senior Center folk. Our hosts, Lewinsville Retirement Residence, are also hosting the Lewinsville Senior Center while their center is being rebuilt. There were lots of things to do at the carnival, including a cupcake walk and a bean bag toss, and it was fun to see everyone enjoying themselves.
Two cafes next week!
Join us in Alexandria on Monday and/or Fairfax on Wednesday. We’ll be talking more travel and have fun dressing up for the occasion in favorite clothes from far away places. Don’t forget we’ll also be munching on yummy food and . . . ice cream!
Please RSVP to help us with planning. This is especially helpful for our hosts who are providing us lunch at no cost.
Click here to RSVP.
News from the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s
Victory Summit online!
Friday, August 10, 2018, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm PST
How would you like to attend The Victory Summit event from the comfort of your own home? For the first time ever, we will broadcast The Victory Summit® event worldwide, free of charge. All you need is internet access and a computer.
Click here for more information. Watch dynamic presentations from leading movement disorder neurologists and therapists from across the country and finish the broadcast feeling motivated and armed with tools to help you be more involved in your own treatment and to improve your quality of life. The Victory Summit® is a free educational event with information and tools that people with Parkinson’s can use to live well today.
Every Victory Counts® manual
People living with Parkinson’s, care partners and families need reliable, practical information that inspires action to improve quality of life today and every day. The Every Victory Counts® manual – and its companion website – is the gold standard resource to help you live well with Parkinson’s and achieve your personal wellness goals.
Click here to request your complimentary print copy.
Rock Steady Boxing NoVa expanding
Rock Steady Boxing NoVa is now gearing up to expand the program from their gym in McLean. They are looking to add a site in Sterling/Ashburn, hopefully, by year end. As part of the process they want to reach out to folks with PD in this area to build a list of interested people.
More information is available their latest flyer (click here) or you can check out the websites for RockSteadyNoVA.com and RockSteadyBoxing.org. You can then contact Alec Langstein at 571.730.8553 or Nova@RSBaffiliate.com to let him know if you’re interested as well.
Hope to see you out and about soon!
Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org
Parkinson Social Network 