Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder affecting movement, muscle control, and balance. However, its impact isn't limited to just physical aspects. PD can also significantly affect voice and speech. This is where the importance of vocal...
According to a 2020 study, pneumonia is the leading cause of death and the most common reason for hospital admissions in people living with Parkinson’s disease. Understanding the connection between Parkinson's disease and pneumonia, including its causes, treatments,...
Young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) is a growing subset of people who develop the disease at a younger age, typically between the ages of 21 and 50. YOPD (sometimes referred to as early-onset Parkinson’s disease) impacts roughly 4% of the 1M people living with...
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the accompanying symptoms may impact an individual’s ability to drive. This can be a sensitive and sometimes tricky topic. Since driving is associated with independence, people living with PD may view restrictions to driving as a...
Happy 2024! As we look to the year ahead, we’re excited to offer more expansive opportunities to connect with the Parkinson’s community in Los Angeles and beyond. This year will see more opportunities for in-person events, the annual LA Big 5K fundraiser (which can be...
As 2023 comes to a close, we look back with gratitude for our accomplishments as a community and a non-profit organization. This year marked several exciting shifts at PCLA, especially as we expanded our community resources via support groups and the Let’s Talk...
Gift-giving should be a joyful and fulfilling experience. If you have a person living with Parkinson’s disease on your shopping list, you may struggle to select a thoughtful gift that’s both appropriate and appreciated. We’re here to take some mystery out of the...
For a deep dive into the environmental risk factors of PD, check out our latest Let’s Talk Parkinson’s feature with Beate Ritz, MD, Ph.D., a Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences and Neurology at UCLA. The relationship between environmental...
Living with Parkinson’s disease can stir up a range of emotions. From receiving a diagnosis to managing the chronic symptoms of PD, it’s normal to experience impacts on your mental health. Depression, in particular, is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s...
Maintaining an active lifestyle is critical to managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms. A physical therapist (PT) can help keep you mobile by designing an exercise routine that meets your unique symptoms and needs. Here’s an overview of how physical therapy benefits...
The benefits of yoga on full-body wellness have been observed for many decades, but how do these transfer to people living with Parkinson’s disease? Very well, it turns out! With its focus on breathwork, balance, and flexibility, yoga is a fantastic exercise option...
Questions about speech therapy for Parkinson's? PCLA recently hosted an online Q&A "The Latest in Parkinson's Research," with Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD, Director of the Movement Disorders Program at UCLA. WATCH THE PRESENTATION Miss the event? Watch the replay...
Are you concerned about the impact that a pandemic and quarantine may have on your daily life and wellness? PCLA recently hosted Clinical Psychologist Dr. Arik C. Johnson, from UCLA. Dr. Johnson will discuss ways to handle stress and anxiety, and how to avoid feeling...
My husband Bob collapsed from sepsis, and, after two months in hospitals and rehab places, I brought him home and cared for him until he died, five months later. Here’s some of what I learned during that time.
This month, Leslie Rodier shares with us her family’s Parkinson’s story and how she learned to care for herself while balancing her family’s needs. Leslie’s husband Bob Potter serves on PCLA’s Board of Directors.
Why just walk if I can run?
Why just run if I can jump?
Why just jump if I can leap?
Why just leap if I can dance?
What really matters
is not what I have
but who I am.
I am still me
I am still the same me I was
before you or I knew I had Parkinson’s.
I’m being chased by a thief,
a monster,
hanging at the edges of my life,
waiting to steal from me
my movement
my joy
my smile.
What if I want to rage
Like a storm at sea
Against the words
I heard –
The firing squad.
The Brian Grant Foundation’s free PD exercise videos include warm ups, Tai Chi, boxing, yoga and Pilates, a 60-minute boot camp video, and more. Parkinson’s Exercise Essentials: Getting Started, Staying Motivated, Seeing Results is a free online video series...
This month we get to know PCLA’s Lora Kurtenbach (Member, PCLA’s Board of Directors) and Sarah King (PCLA’s Information & Referral Specialist). Lora and Sarah are both adult children of parents with Parkinson’s who got involved in PD advocacy and support after diagnosis.
Barbara is a founding member of PCLA’s Board of Directors and Steve is on the advisory board. Barbara has been living with Parkinson’s since 2002. Among career mileposts, she is a past president of the Florida State Museum, the founder and president of a successful wholesale bakery, and, as an early consumer advocate in Virginia, developed toy safety regulations that became a national standard. She also raised two sons who have made their mark in the Los Angeles entertainment industry.
Last month, attendees at our Life Beyond the Basics conference were treated to a “Parkinson’s Shake Out!” exercise break by our friends at Invertigo Dance Theatre. Since 2011, Invertigo has offered the “Dancing Through Parkinson’s” (DTP) dance program to our community
Written by PCLA community member Amy Sommer Childress
Last month PCLA President Patrick LoSasso and Board Member Mark Siegel traveled to Washington, DC, for the 2019 Parkinson’s Advocacy Forum. They and 150 other advocates from across the country in educated Congressional members on policy issues impacting the PD community. We talked with Patrick about the Forum and some current legislative priorities.
David Solie is a graduate of the University of Washington, University of Manitoba, and the University of Colorado Medical School, and practiced as a licensed physician assistant for several decades. He is the author of books on eldercare and inter-generational communication, and writes about aging, caregiving, healthcare, art and poetry, and many other topics on his blog. You can see more of David’s artwork on his website, End of the World Art.
This month we’re talking to Travis Robinson. Travis has been living with Parkinson’s since 2013. An avid outdoorsman and climber, Travis’s photography often features images from his travels.
Sandy Yaras is the leader of PCLA’s “Let Talk About Parkinson’s” support group and our “PCLA Online” virtual support group. He was diagnosed in 2004 at the age of 63. Sandy taught middle school students for over 20 years and is also an artist, writer, and stand-up comic.
Judy Yaras is Vice-President of PCLA and Director of Museum Shop Operations at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Her professional background spans the healthcare and retail industries, teaching, and includes boardroom experience for a number of nonprofits.
The risks of being a caregiver is that we are HUMAN BEINGS and sometimes we get sick. Almost every caregiver I know puts their loved one’s health above their own. I care for my husband who has had Parkinson’s for 19 years, he was diagnosed when he was 36. He’s had deep brain stimulation surgery, two seizures, a number of falls that have sent us to the ER and his colon burst and he became septic and gravely ill. All this and we are only 55.
In 2000, at the age of 36, Mike Weinman was diagnosed with PD. An experienced finance and operations executive, Mike has served as Treasurer of PCLA since its founding. He also runs a support group for those living with Young Onset Parkinson’s disease. We spoke to Mike about his experience as a support group leader, his role in the formation of PCLA, and how Parkinson’s has impacted his family.
No, you can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes you just might get what you need —The Rolling Stones Whether you are a caregiver for someone with PD, or caring for a parent, child or a grandchild who needs assistance, watch out for burnout. Some of us...
This is how it started, from my viewpoint. Starting about 9 months after experiencing his first symptoms. June 14 - What’s going on with Richard? Wanting to get a diagnosis so we’re not living with this unknown, but at the same time not wanting to hear anything...
I thought Parkinson (Park & Son) was a law firm at first! I was taken back when I was told my diagnosis this year… by artist, Emanuel Emanuele.
Questions about speech therapy for Parkinson's? PCLA recently hosted an online Q&A "The Latest in Parkinson's Research 2021," with Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD, Director of the Movement Disorders Program at UCLA. WATCH THE PRESENTATION Miss the event? Watch the replay...
Get the latest information regarding cannabis and parkinson's disease, presented at PCLA's annual "Life Beyond the Basics" conference.DOWNLOAD THE DECK Tap the button below to download a PDF copy of the presentationEVENT SPONSORS Thanks to our sponsors
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