Every six minutes, someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the United States. This April for Parkinson’s Awareness Month the theme is #Take6ForPD. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, local member of the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group Marcia Parrish says medications and exercise can help slow the progression:
“There are medicines that can help and control some of the symptoms, but exercise is key. That is one thing that they actual have found that can slow the progression of Parkinson’s. We have a Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s at the Warren County YMCA that meets twice a week at 9 am and it is just for people with Parkinson’s. Also, there is Big and Loud Therapy in Galesburg through OSF. That is to get you to expand your movements because lots of times the further you go into Parkinson’s, the smaller, shorter steps, the smaller movements, the stoop posture; physical therapy can also help. We have a support group that meets the second Monday of every month at 4 pm at the YMCA. There is also a care partners group that meets the second Wednesday of every month.”
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 10 million people are affected by Parkinson’s worldwide.
What is Parkinson’s? | Parkinson’s Foundation
Marcia and her family will be hosting a Tom Parrish Memorial Golf Outing for Parkinson’s Disease in August. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1518942981934747
