It was so good seeing everyone at our meeting on September 9. We welcomed a few first-time attendees along with some who date back to the group’s beginnings in 2014, and everyone in-between.
There were many commonalities in our discussion of counting our blessings in the midst of PD woes. Feelings of fatigue, anxiety, isolation, stress, and grief were recurrent themes as we talked about our summer woes: falls, injuries, illnesses, stints in rehab, tremors, unreadable handwriting, and struggles to remain positive.
Time with family, especially children and grandchildren (for those who have them), count high among our blessings. So does having each other to lean on when we need to. Hand strength and tremor were commonly cited woes. One member shared how boxing and especially art therapy made a huge difference in the use of her hands. Another advised not to despair, her hand tremor had gone away after treatment by her doctor. We reminded each other of the importance of physical therapy, exercise for both the body and the brain, and adopting a peaceful, positive attitude.
Resources we talked about at our meeting. are listed below. Click on links (highlighted blue) to access sites.
INOVA Online Offering: Maintain Your Brain Fridays from 10:30 – 11:15 AM. Free. Register to participate. Challenge your thinking ability with fun group exercises. There are also many Additional INOVA Online Wellness, Music, and Movement Offerings.
PFNCA Book Group. In addition to the numerous classes and activities offered, the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA) offers a Book Club that meets via Zoom every Monday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT. Some of the books read this year include My Friends by Fredrik Backman, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, and The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. For more information or to sign up, contact is Jan Hatherell, Director of Operations, 301-844-6510, jhatherell@parkinsonfoundation.org
Need more convincing? “Books are good for your brain,” according to a Washington Post article (August 2026), “But fiction has a surprising added benefit. Reading fiction may strengthen the social skills we need to connect with others.” Article gift link
Have trouble reading? The NLS (National Library Service) through the Library of Congress “provides audio and braille books and magazines at no cost to individuals whose low vision, blindness, physical disability or reading disability makes it difficult to read print or hold a book.” There is an online form to submit You can also call the library for your state. Maryland’s is 410-230-2424; Virginia’s is 804-371-3661.
Estate planning course shared by one of our members. Note September 15 start date. The Women’s Center in Vienna, Virgina, is hosting the DucksRow 6-session course on the following Tuesday evenings: September 15 and 29, October 13 and 27, November 10and 16. For more information or to register for the course, please contact Carole Thomas at cmthomas@thewomenscenter.org or 571-317-0999. Sessions will be in person at The Women’s Center, 8230 Old Courthouse Rd, Vienna, VA.
Michael J Fox is offering a Free Virtual Talk: Retirement Planning After a Parkinson’s Diagnosis on October 23. Scroll down the page to register and for other estate planning information.
Dance for PD at George Mason University starts up again on September 18. Classes meet weekly on Fridays from 1:00-2:15 PM Email Elizabeth Spatz. espatz@gmu.edu to register.
Note: As always, resources and information are provided as a courtesy only and are neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Always check with your doctor before beginning any new activity.