Gretchen and Michael Church , authors and advocates, are a unique couple living here in SW Florida. I first met them one year ago while participating in a Parkinson's Disease conference in Ft Myers, Fl. They introduced themselves as a couple who both had a diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD), and as co founders of Movers and Shakers. I could tell at the time of our first meeting that there was not alot of "suffering" going on, but rather a tremendous amount of advocacy for themselves as well as others living with Parkinson's Disease (PD).
Gretchen and Michael are actively involved in the Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) in Florida, with a mission to inform, educate, and influence congressional leaders about the need for funding and support of research and programming for those affected by PD. ( approximately 1.5 million Americans and growing)
I am not sure when they found the time, but they have also written a book: Living Well With Parkinson's Disease...What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know.
Judging from the day to day interactions I have with my own patients, I would say that there is lots people don't understand or know about their diagnosis or management of symptoms of PD.
As they say in their book's introduction: "this book is designed to give information on Parkinson's-related conditions, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to help you be a more informed consumer of medical and health related services." They more than fulfill their goal. From drugs, to exercise, to daily challenges, they have managed to include most anything I have ever heard discussed at a day long conference on Parkinson's Disease, with the added touch of their personal journeys.
If you or a loved one has a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, or, you are a health care professional working with individuals with PD, I strongly recommend this book. Unlike information that is heard at a conference, which can quickly be forgotten once home, with this book, you will be able to underline key ideas, write in the columns, and re-read for comprehension. Each chapter may also be a point of discussion for you and your family or for you with your physician/s.
A lead sentence from the PAN network website states: "Your voice is a powerful tool." Anyone that knows me or has met me, is well aware of my belief in that statement , a driving force for my own mission. Gretchen and Michael Church have voices worth listening to. For more information about Movers and Shakers go to:
http://www.pdoutreach.org/
Living Well With Parkinson's Disease is available wherever books are sold.
For more information about how you can be involved in state advocacy for PD go to:
http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/
My Mission: To enlist individuals in their treatment, and help them express their personality & spirit through voice. To educate and empower
Gretchen and Michael are actively involved in the Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) in Florida, with a mission to inform, educate, and influence congressional leaders about the need for funding and support of research and programming for those affected by PD. ( approximately 1.5 million Americans and growing)
I am not sure when they found the time, but they have also written a book: Living Well With Parkinson's Disease...What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know.
Judging from the day to day interactions I have with my own patients, I would say that there is lots people don't understand or know about their diagnosis or management of symptoms of PD.
As they say in their book's introduction: "this book is designed to give information on Parkinson's-related conditions, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to help you be a more informed consumer of medical and health related services." They more than fulfill their goal. From drugs, to exercise, to daily challenges, they have managed to include most anything I have ever heard discussed at a day long conference on Parkinson's Disease, with the added touch of their personal journeys.
If you or a loved one has a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, or, you are a health care professional working with individuals with PD, I strongly recommend this book. Unlike information that is heard at a conference, which can quickly be forgotten once home, with this book, you will be able to underline key ideas, write in the columns, and re-read for comprehension. Each chapter may also be a point of discussion for you and your family or for you with your physician/s.
A lead sentence from the PAN network website states: "Your voice is a powerful tool." Anyone that knows me or has met me, is well aware of my belief in that statement , a driving force for my own mission. Gretchen and Michael Church have voices worth listening to. For more information about Movers and Shakers go to:
http://www.pdoutreach.org/
Living Well With Parkinson's Disease is available wherever books are sold.
For more information about how you can be involved in state advocacy for PD go to:
http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/
My Mission: To enlist individuals in their treatment, and help them express their personality & spirit through voice. To educate and empower
No comments:
Post a Comment