Parkinson's Support Groups

Inauguration Day USA - January 20, 2009. Do you remember where you were when our 44th president was sworn to office and sent a nation frightened but hopeful for the first time that their leader? I never forget where I was. For the first time in my adult life that I had Inauguration Day off - not to watch the ceremony - but spend the day with my stepmother, who is in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. I flew to Fort Lauderdale, FL, this morning at a meeting of Parkinson's support group that had organized his mom retirement community. Faced with this debilitating disease, she noted the challenge the same way she lived every day of his life - with courage, compassion and hope. first symptom of Parkinson's mom was the sudden appearance of a period of deep depression that lasted over a year. Neither she nor her doctors knew the cause of his depression, which makes the connection to Parkinson's disease only after other symptoms appeared.

One of the first actions of mother after the diagnosis has been confirmed is moving to a retirement community in Pompano Beach, Florida - John Knox Village. In a beautiful setting, surrounded by many old and new friends, she would be able to live independently for as long as possible and to transition to assisted living and, if necessary hospital care in the future. Selflessly, she would not be a burden to her children. Mom and her closest friends, to whom she refers to jokingly as "my fellow evil", the full benefits of village life. Spanish course dinners to cocktail parties to one of the other house, these women are motivated by an explosion every day. "I am the happiest I've ever been in my life," she said often.

When I arrived at the Village on Inauguration Day, I went to the auditorium to join mom for the inauguration festivities. To my surprise, I walked into a crowded room filled with hundreds of residents sat at tables decorated with Barack Obama cut and munching on hot dogs. A giant screen in front of the room has been given to the network's coverage of the inauguration. I slipped into an empty chair next to Mom just in time for the swearing in ceremony. The feelings of excitement and optimism was palpable in the room. Commenting on the continuing Michele Obama's mother said: "It's so pretty, but it does not seem warm enough for winter." We have seen the lining of his coat and felt better. Older people in the room and I cheered and cried: the oath of allegiance and the ceremony and the speech played before us. Subsequently, the oldest resident of John Knox Village has been recognized for his patriotism. She had voted for Woodrow Wilson in its first elections. Even if a resident hospital and could have voted absentee last November, she insisted on making the trip to the auditorium with the rest of the villagers to cast his vote for Barack Obama.

Following cupcakes desert red, white and blue, mom and I went to the conference room where the support group meeting was held. We met the lovely woman who had encouraged mother to start the group to share information that would help in treating others with Parkinson's disease. Gracious and warm, visible tremors she suffers from Parkinson's that has become almost imperceptible, as it engaged with the group and helped mom check participants. "I do not know how many people will come because it's Opening Day," Mom said that she arranged chairs in a circle. The turnout was better than expected. Guest speaker today is a nurse hospital in the village who did a great job on meditation and its benefits in reducing tremors of Parkinson's.

Mom opened the meeting announcements and presentations. "My daughter in law Kathie, she said. "She is there because one day she can.