Category: Parkinson’s Disease

Coughing or choking while eating or drinking, feeling like food and beverages are going “down the wrong pipe” —are not normal and not a normal part of aging. If this is occurring more than 1x/week, you likely have a problem that should not be ignored, according to Speech and Language Pathologist, Matt McKeon, who will join us on Wednesday, […]

Breath is the foundation of yoga and life, according to Melanie Dorn, guest speaker at our December 2nd meeting. She has combined her expertise and certifications as a Speech Language Pathologist, LSVT/LOUD Certified Clinician, and Certified Yoga Instructor to create a unique yoga program offering for people with Parkinson’s. Several years ago, while teaching PFNCA-sponsored Communication […]

I’m excited about our meeting this month. Speech Language Pathologist, LSVT/LOUD Certified Clinician, and Certified Vocal Yoga Instructor Melanie Dorn will be demonstrating Vocal Yoga and educating us in ways to care for our voices. Date: Wednesday, December 2 Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm via Zoom  Speaker: Melanie Dorn Topic: Breathing & Neck Rigidity + […]

Look forward to seeing everyone via Zoom at our next meeting. Date: Wednesday, November 4 Time: 1.00-3.00 pm via Zoom  Speaker: Physical/Vestibular Therapist Yuliya Jackson Topic: Vestibular Balance and Dizziness Zoom link will be sent out the day before the meeting. Please plan to log on 10-15 minutes early from a private area of your […]

Dr. Hilary Goetz, a neuropsychologist with Inova, visited with us via Zoom on October 7. As part of her work at Inova, she does cognitive testing for people with Parkinson’s prior to DBS surgery. The focus of her discussion was managing mental health in Parkinson’s, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Resource links were provided by […]

Our guest speaker for our next meeting on Wednesday October 7 will be Dr. Hilary Goetz, Psy.D. She will begin promptly at 1.00 p.m., so please plan to sign on 10 – 15 minutes earlier. She will talk about Managing Mental Health in Parkinson’s Disease, including anxiety and stress, followed by a question and answer […]

Lots of sharing and discussions at our September 9th meeting. Lots of familiar faces and some new ones. Lots of introspection on how Covid-19 and social isolation have affected our lives overall and with the additional challenges of having Parkinson’s. Many of us are pretty much housebound, relying on delivery services or helpful family members […]

One thing we learn with Parkinson’s is how to deal with things that are beyond our control. We assess, we adjust, we adapt to each situation as it’s thrown our way.  So when the scheduled support group guest speaker sends an email twenty hours before the meeting is about to begin that she’s very sorry […]

Life has certainly changed since we rescheduled our in-person April meeting last spring and met virtually instead. I was unfamiliar with the term social distancing and who had ever heard of Zoom? Now I am grateful everyday for its ability to keep us all in touch with family and friends, and allow our group to […]

Hope everyone has had a good summer and continues to be safe and well. It appears that physical distancing will be with us until at least the end of 2020, if not longer. Thankfully there are many online classes and offerings to keep us moving and socializing. PFNCA offers a wide range of activities: exercise, […]