Our meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month, September through June, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., with adjustments for holidays. We do not meet during the summer months of July and August.
In September 2023, we started to alternate meeting in-person (at our same location in Reston, VA) and meeting via Zoom to accommodate everyone as best we can. Zoom meetings offered the additional benefit of allowing us to invite guest speakers outside our geographic area. Zoom links are sent out the day before each Zoom meeting.
We are excited moving into our 2024/2025 season. Thanks for your input and suggestions regarding guest speakers and meeting topics! By majority agreement, we plan to meet for Just-Us Share Time and no longer include outside speakers at our meetings. There is so much information freely available online, we want to focus our time together to connect with each other’s experiences and offer encouragement and support to one another in living the best life we can as Women with Parkinson’s Disease (AKA Women Warriors).
Feedback from one of our speakers, a movement disorder neurologist (posted with permission): “I enjoyed that presentation/talk/discussion about as much as any talk I can remember. It was such an honor to be invited to a group as well organized and established as yours is. I have heard so many wonderful things over the years about it and I’m so relieved to see that women with Parkinson’s disease have such a wonderful resource in our community.”
Our 2024/2025 Meeting Schedule: (dates are firm; format subject to change)
- September 11 – In-person
- October 2 – Zoom
- November 6 – Zoom
- December 4 – In-person
- January 8 – Zoom
- February 5 – In-person
- March 5 – Zoom
- April 2 – In-person
- May 7 – Zoom
- June 4 – In-person
Our 2023/2024 Meeting Schedule with links to notes where available:
September 6: ZOOM Meeting. Guest speaker. Speech Pathologist Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP, Speak Skill, LLC, will speak on “Vocal Strengthening,” specifically for women with Parkinson’s disease. Meeting Notes
October 4: IN-PERSON Meeting. Just-Us Share Time. Our personal Parkinson’s journey, including the symptom that concerns us the most and our most concerning fear.
November 1: ZOOM Meeting. Guest speaker Dr. Aviva Ellenstein, M.D. Ph.D., Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Neurology at Washington Brain and Spine Institute, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. followed by Just-Us Share Time.
December 6: IN-PERSON Meeting. Holiday Lunch and Just-Us Share Time. We will talk about what we turn to for motivation and inspiration. Please bring a short poem and/or something to share that lifts you up and keeps you going.
January 3: ZOOM Meeting. Guest speaker Dr. Abigail Lawler, Board-Certified Neurologist and Autonomics Director and Movement Disorders Specialist at INOVA Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center, will speak on “Non-motor Symptoms and the Impact of Low and High Blood Pressure in Parkinson’s Disease.”
February 7: IN-PERSON Meeting. Guest speaker Occupational Therapist Donna Jackson, Certified LSVT Big and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS), will speak on “How Occupational Therapy Can Help,” including some ‘hands-on” strengthening tips. Meeting Notes
March 6: ZOOM Meeting. Physical Therapist Yuliya Jackson, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and a Vestibular-Certified Specialist, will speak on “Staying on Your Feet: Preventing and Minimizing Falls.” Meeting Notes
April 3: IN-PERSON Meeting. Just-Us Share Time. Let’s talk about the self-conscious, humiliating, and embarrassing moments that come with Parkinson’s and handling them with grace and dignity.
May 1: ZOOM Meeting. Amelia Faraco-Hadlock, Deputy Legislative Director to Congressman Jennifer Wexton, will speak to us about the National Plan to End Parkinson’s, followed by Just-Us Share Time. We want your input! Our third annual review. A time to share your meeting, speaker, and other experiences and suggestions.
June 5: IN-PERSON Meeting. We are going out for lunch!
PREVIOUS 2022/2023 Meetings with links to Meeting Notes (where available):
September 6: Just-Us Share Time about fear.
October 12: Guest Speaker. Alec Langstein, Rock Steady Boxing, on The Who, What, Where, Why, and When of Rock Steady Boxing and How it Benefits Women With PD.
November 2: Just-Us Share Time about self-commitment, self-discipline, and self-motivation.
December 7: Holiday Lunch
January 4: Guest Speakers. Mary Beth Crosson and Joann McCarty, Independent You, on their home care and care management services.
February 1: Guest Speaker. Dr. Randolph Stephenson, Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist, joined us for a Q & A.
March 1: Just-Us Share Time about aging.
April 5: Just-Us Share Time about gratitude.
May 3: Just-Us Share Time — How Can This Group Best Serve You?
June 7: Just-Us luncheon.