Introducing Moving Day - parkinson.org

1 VoluME 22 Issue OneSPRINg 2011 Letter from the PresidentThe NationalParkinson Foundationhas launched somenew and exciting initiatives that we dlike to share with on pg 2 Living withParkinson s: Rich Clifford,Former NASAA stronaut I had never heard ofthe disease, recallsClifford of that day..continued on pg 5 Paintball for parkinson s We wanted to support somethingthat is near and dear to our heart, said Thom Williams,president of the InternationalStunt on pg 9t s a walk, it s a community event,it s a celebration ofmovement. It s Moving Day, the new chapter event for theNational parkinson Foundation. Many NPF chapters alreadyhost local fundraising events, but this signature event will take atraditional walk and transform it into a celebration of theme of Moving Day is: People Who Move Change the World.

2 Studies have shown that movement yoga, Tai Chi, dance,Pilates, or even walking is beneficial and proven to help manage thesymptoms of the disease, improving flexibility and mobility. Plus,researchers now believe that vigorous exercise , such as biking orrunning, may slow down or delay progression. The event is designedto create greater awareness not just of the importance ofmovement, but of parkinson s disease itself, a movement Day is not your traditional 5-mile walk/run. Each eventwill feature a movement pavilion with demonstrations of avariety of stretches, exercises and more! NPF, in partnership with our chapters, will move the parkinson scommunity, says Robin Boettcher, NPF s Vice President ofChapter and Community Partnerships.

3 It will be a day tomove and a day to move others and a day to move the on page 21-2 Moving Day: People Who Move Change the WorldLetter from the President3 parkinson s Awareness Month: Making Things Happen4A Week at Kripalu: Navigating a New World5 Living with parkinson s: Rich Clifford 6-7 Top Questions and Answers from"Ask the Doctor"8 What s Hot in parkinson s Disease?9 Paintball for parkinson s10 Out of the Park for parkinson s11 Thank you to our SponsorsIntroducing Moving Day:People Who Move Change the awareness about parkinson s. Movement iscritical for people with parkinson s let s movethe rest of the world to raise awareness ofthe disease and the daily obstacles peoplewith parkinson s face.

4 Each family-friendly event is meant for all agesand abilities. Funds raised at the events willbe used to provide national and local services,including an extensive network of supportgroups for patients and caregivers, educationalmaterials, informational meetings and weeklytherapeutic exercise programs, as well as tosupport research to beat parkinson s!In the months ahead, chapters in the threelocations Rome, gA, Washington, andPittsburgh, PA will market the event to individuals and friends and family teams witha special emphasis on corporate teams. Atleast six additional NPF chapters are expectedto hold Moving Day events in spring 2012.

5 He National parkinson Foundation has launched some new and excitinginitiatives that we d like to share withyou. First, you ve probably noticed our new lookin this issue. We officially unveiled this inApril to coincide with National parkinson sAwareness Month. You will see this refreshedlook reflected on our website, ,in our e-Newsletter, parkinson s Today, andin our print , why the transformation? In 2010, we took a strategic look at howwe interact on a local level. We spoke to all 39 chapters, andtravelled across the country, meeting with many families touchedby parkinson s. What we found is that NPF needed to play a muchstronger role in creating awareness on a national level and ensuringa consistent high level of services in the chapters, and the connectionbetween local and national needed to be seamless.

6 To achievethis, we needed to have a common brand and a unified voice thatchapter and national would both Blom of the Minnesota chapter (formerly known as the ParkinsonAssociation of Minnesota) put it this way, "our relationship withNPF has always been positive and mutually beneficial. The missingingredient has always been the lack of a cohesive brand. NPF hasresponded beyond my expectations to fill this need. Created with our chapters for our chapters, the new brand is meantto spark connection and work to create greater awareness. By theend of next year, all NPF locations will carry the same brand, andcommit to the same high level of program standards and NPF willsupply the resources to do it.

7 Because people with parkinson s andtheir families deserve the very best resources available to helpthem no matter where they live!Thanks for your support,Joyce oberdorfPresident and CEoTLetter from the PresidentIntroducing Moving Day:People Who Move Change the from coverOctober 1, 2011 North Park inPittsburgh, PAOctober 9, 2011 Washington NationalsBallpark and Navy Yardin Washington, 22, 2011 Atlanta Braves Stadiumin Rome, GAGet Moving ! Find a localevent near you Register online and set up yourown personal or team fundraisingpage! We hope to see you at oneof our Moving Day events. Formore information on sponsorship,please call Dayevents arescheduledfor this fallPARKINSONREPoRT / Spring 20113pril is parkinson s Awareness Month.

8 What better time to make things happen in a biggerway. So how can you get involved? Read, share your story or plan a fundraising event. In short,challenge yourself to spend some time each day raising awareness for parkinson s show you just how easy it can be, we ve created a month s worth of tips to get you started. onceyou decide to take action, you ll be surprised by the difference you can make. Why not start today?AParkinson s Awareness Month Making Things HappenTo find a resource near you visit, call a letter to the editor of your newspaper, sharing a story of how a treatment,program or event hasimpacted your life. the calendar of eventson our your personalParkinson s story with afriend, neighbor or our website and readthe What s Hot in PD?

9 Time with someonewho has parkinson s our website and read a news story aboutParkinson s a friend or neighborand share that a letter to your localTV or radio station in praiseof a healthcare professionalwho made a significant difference in your like the NationalParkinson Foundation on the NationalParkinson Foundation on to your local YWCA, community center or hospital about offering exercise or dance classesgeared toward people with movement your NationalParkinson Foundation local an expert to give aParkinson s-related talk atan area library, communitycenter or hospital. for a local chapter event. us in New York City onApril 16thfor the parkinson sunity Walk!

10 An NPF Team Hopecommunity awareness andfundraising event. in a local a local support group,or start your own. a seminar or talk on parkinson s disease. a question on the onlineforum Ask a Doctor. art. Find new ways to express your journey with parkinson s disease: take a painting, writing orphotography class. our website and read a personal story or shareyour a daily exercise routine. someone withParkinson s disease how exercise has helped control your our website and download a publication on living with parkinson local health centers offering rehabilitation services for people with parkinson that information withanyone who could Ask for help when you need Call NPF's national Helpline today: 1-800-4PD-INFO.