April 2024

From the Board

April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. Are you aware of all the classes, activities and support groups offered by PD Active? Doctors say that it’s important for people with Parkinson’s to keep the brain flexible and fit by trying out new things. In honor of Parkinson’s Awareness month, we encourage you to try out a new PD Active exercise class, support group, activity or event. We have so many ways that you can stretch your body and your brain.

Programs and Events

PD Active Virtual Ask The Experts Round Table: "Exercise Smarter, Physical Therapy for People with Parkinson's"

With Angela Rusher DPT – Assistant Professor Samuel Merritt University, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

When: Tuesday, April 9

Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm

On Zoom

Register here.

Angela Rusher of Samuel Merritt University's Department of Physical Therapy will present evidence to support why PD-specific exercises are better for us than non-specific exercises, and what those specific exercises might look like for you.

PD Active depends on donations to bring programs like these to our members. We remain grateful for your contributions.

PD Active Walking Group – Annual Sacramento Outing

When: In April – date TBA

Join the Walking Group for the annual outing to Sacramento. Board the Amtrak train in Berkeley bound for Sacramento, have lunch on the shore of the Sacramento River, spend the afternoon at the Railroad museum, then return to Berkeley by train.

Contact Cathy Ball at programdirector@pdactive.org for date and time.

Save the Date – PD Active Annual Info Fair

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Where: Lake Temescal Park, North Entrance: 6500 Broadway, Oakland

North Temescal Picnic Site (map)

Learn about classes, activities, and resources in the community; meet class instructors and Support Group coordinators; see old friends and meet new ones.

Support Group Changes

New! Women’s Support Group on Zoom with additional in-person support circles

1st Tuesday of the month, 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Next Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024

The new Women’s Support Group is off to a great start. This new group provides a safe space for women at any stage of PD to share concerns, ask questions, get resources, and connect with other women.

Email womensgroup@pdactive.org if you are interested in attending. Open to anyone in the East Bay identifying as female.

In-Person Meeting of the PD Active General Support Group

The General PD Support Group is now meeting in person on the 4th Thursday of each month from 1:00pm – 2:30pm at the North Oakland Senior Center. This month the in-person meeting is on April 25. The group continues to meet all other weeks on Zoom.

Mild/Recently Diagnosed Carepartner Support Group

A new carepartner support group started in February for those who have partners with mild symptoms from Parkinson’s or for those who have been recently diagnosed. It meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month on ZOOM 3:30 – 5:00pm.

Contact MildRecentlyDiagnosed@pdactive.org if you are interested in attending.

This month the meeting is on April 17.

See our website for more information about support groups.

PD Active relies on donations for all our programs. Donate here.

In Case You Missed It

Robert Cochrane Event

We had a great event in March with Robert Cochrane. You can see more about his fun improv and writing classes on his website. If you would be interested in attending an in-person Jam for Joy class with Robert in the East Bay, please email Todd Morrish.

Documentary Film

Matter of Mind, which screened at the Alameda International Film Festival in February will be shown on PBS television on Apr 8, 2024. More information here.

Community

Parkinson’s Disease Program for Latinx and African-American Patients and Families

Free Program offered in English and Spanish

When: Saturday, May 18th, 2024, 10:00am – 2:00pm. 

Location: Cal State East Bay Oakland Center, 1000 Broadway, #109, Oakland CA 94607

To register, email aaron.daley@ucsf.edu.

Organized by the Bay Area Movement Disorders Coalition – UCSF and Stanford movement disorder specialists and local community agencies that provide services and programs for people with Parkinson's and their caregivers.

If you are interested in helping at the PD Active table at this event, please contact programdirector@pdactive.org.

Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day SF

When: Saturday, May 4, 2024

Time: 9:00am

Where: Crissy Field San Francisco

Includes movement demonstrations and a 5K walk

More information here.

Parkinson’s Research

University of Rochester is looking for people with and WITHOUT Parkinson’s to assist in developing an Online Parkinson’s Screening Tool.

Participation takes ~30 minutes and involves completing some speech and motor tasks in front of a web camera, and then answering some questions to provide feedback about the tool. Participants are compensated with a $15 Amazon gift card. Those who are interested in the study can complete this form, and a study team member will follow-up.

Thank You to our Recent Donors

Donors

Grant Bennett

Voneciel Gaines

Trish and Anthony Hawthorne

Daniel Jarmel

Mary Nash

Diane Russell

Maria Servin

Susan Stein-Black and John Black

Kathryn Swallow

Chris and Annalisa Tay

Hope and Lee Tollefsrud

Robert Yelland

Donations in Honor Of

Gabriel Griego and Monique Buffler – in honor of Stanley Lubman’s 90th Birthday

Suzanne and Italo Calpestri – in honor of Stanley Lubman's 90th Birthday

Howard Dratch – in honor of Gary Sue Goodman

Norm and Jan Frankel – in honor of Stanley Lubman's 90th Birthday

Kerrie and Mark Halmi – in honor of Stanley Lubman's 90th Birthday

Joanne Harano – in honor of Jim Duff`s 75th birthday — keep dancing Jim!!

Judith, Sarah, & James Lubman – in honor of Stanley Lubman on his 90th Birthday

Todd & Tamara Morrish – in honor of Stanley Lubman's 90th Birthday

Jen Roitman – in honor of Stanley Lubman's 90th Birthday

Morgan Selor – in honor of Cathy Ball

Chad Zucker – in honor of Stanley Lubman's 90th Birthday

Donations in Memory Of

Christine Aguilar – in memory of Yoram Litwin

Duna Alkhalaileh – in memory of Yoram Litwin

Patte Bishop – in memory of Yoram Litwin

Ada and Gaby Burka/Crane – in memory of Yoram Litwin

Matthew Diveronica – in memory of Yoram Litwin

Adam and Lauran Mizock – in memory of Carl Gardeman

Jen Roitman – in memory of Carl Gardeman

Susan Stein-Black and John Black – in memory of Carl Gardeman

Taryn Valley and Jenny Howe – in memory of Yoram Litwin

Chad Zucker – in memory of Carl Gardeman