When you first hear those words from your physician, "You have Parkinson's Disease", it can be stunning! I know myself, that when I received "the word", all I heard for the rest of the visit was a dull buzzing sound in my ears and flashes of what my life would become shooting through my brain.
Luckily, my wonderful wife was along for the diagnosis and she sprang into action almost immediately. She arranged for the two of us to meet with Adina at PSCKY, and it was such an informative and uplifting session that I agreed to attend the PD 101 session she was presenting. You cannot believe how prepared I left that session to fight the effects of PD, talk with my physician, medicate and exercise my way to a fuller life. Since those first sessions, we have participated in exercise classes, workshops on medications, and of course the yearly Symposium which puts just about everything a Parkinson's patient could or would need under one roof. I am sure that there are larger and better funded non-profit organizations, but when it comes to patient programs, caring and helpful staff, providing useful resources for someone who suffers the ravages of Parkinson's disease, PSCKY cannot be topped.
PSCKY works with everyone, family members and the person who lives with this horrific disease. If you need support, interested in learning more about PD, or want to volunteer, I understand this is the only place to go in Kentucky or southern Indiana. They survive strictly on donations-no outside professional affiliation so every dollar that comes in focuses on people who live well with PD and to keeping the doors open. If you have PD or a member of your family has it or even a friend, I can think of no better place to go for help than PSCKY. The only problem is getting the word out. I hope this helps!!
There's something unique in receiving a diagnosis of a chronic illness, such as Parkinson's disease. In fact, PD is such a strange, complex and baffling disease that despite the many educational resources we can throw at it, each human's experience is so unique that the most common word I've heard to describe PD is "baffling." The Parkinson Support Center of Kentuckiana is in a class by itself. The informal motto "No one has to face Parkinson's alone" is bolstered by an incredible base of volunteers, staff and board members who uniquely understands *just* what those words mean. Facing grief, facing physical and sometimes cognitive impairment, facing conflicting information...PSCKY stands firm in ensuring that the person with PD (or someone who is a family member or friend) does not have to face that baffling road alone. The support groups, educational events, movement groups and information and personal counseling offered by PSCKY are extraordinary and infused with a personal concern, care and candor that bring light and hope to a diagnosis that can often be overwhelming.