A Ride Across America -Rich Mills

On June 29^th,  LaDona Molander and John Krumbholz, Iowa Chapter Co-Presidents, were fortunate enough to attend the O’Donnell Family & Friends Golf Outing. As the name suggests, this event is organized by Dan and Dee O’Donnell along with their entire family and friends to benefit a different non-profit organization each year. In 2012, the Iowa Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association was honored to be the recipient of this year’s proceeds.

It was a beautiful day filled with golf, good food, and lots of friendly interactions. After an amazing outpouring of support and good will, LaDona and John were presented with a check for $80,000 from this year’s event. This was the most successful of the 19 outings the O’Donnell’s have sponsored and the proceeds will go a long way towards easing the burden of those Iowans with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers.

We are very thankful to the entire O’Donnell family for their hard work and generosity. At a time when many people are more focused on their own personal gratification, the O’Donnells have forged a legacy of doing for others that will not soon be forgotten. May God bless them for all they have done and will continue to do in service to others…. may He hold them in the palm of His hand.

• Newly diagnosed “young” – individuals under the age of 60 (maybe even 65 if still working full-time)
• Once diagnosed young – individuals of any age who were diagnosed under the age of 60
• Caregivers of either of the above groups

Exercise Classes in Iowa: Delay the Disease, Cycle for Neuro Wellness and a Dance Class

Delay the Disease Classes

Atlantic – Heritage House, Free, Contact Jon Jordan at (712) 243-1850 or JJordan@wesleylife.org for more information

Carroll – Every Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll; Contact Tabetha Ernster at 712-792-3581 or Melissa Schultes at 712-794-5815

Cedar Rapids – Stonebridge Church, Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 AM, Free, call (319) 431-5332 for more information.

Clive – YMCA Healthy Living Center, payment required, call (515) 226-9622 for more information

Des Moines – Wesley Acres, Free, every Wednesday at 1 p.m., pre-registration is required, call 515-271-6500 for more information and to register.

Dike – Contact Agape Therapy at 319-277-3166 for more information; Agape Therapy Web site: www.agapetherapy.com

Iowa City – 28 South Linn Street, payment required, for more information or questions please contact instructor Kris Cameron (319) 361-7673 or email renuyourlife@yahoo.com

Muscatine – Muscatine Community YMCA, contact Anthony Krumbholz at 319-981-3321

South Sioux City, Nebraska – Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA in South Sioux City, payment required, contact Jacque Perez, Wellness Programs Coordinator, at jperez@nwsymca.org or 402-404-8439.

Waterloo – Covenant Wellness Center, $20 for an 8 week session, first class is Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Contact Timi Brown, Med-Fit Facilitator, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare- Iowa, at 319-272-1755

West Burlington – Great River Medical Center, Hawkeye Room, 12:30 p.m. every Thursday, instructor Matt Kelle. Call the Great River Medical Center High Performance Center at 319-768-4112 for more information.

Cycle for Neuro Wellness in Clive, Iowa (Download Class Flier)

YMCA Healthy Living Center in Clive, Thursdays 5:45-6:30 PM
Contact YMCA Physical and Aquatic Therapy clinic at (515) 645-3350

• Who Can Join?
  Classes are designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions where exercise is believed to help reduce symptoms.  Suitability for the program is determined by a neuro wellness evaluation.
• How to Join?
  Participants receive a neuro wellness evaluation by a Physical Therapist at the YMCA Healthy Living Center prior to joining the program. The evaluation can be arranged with a physician’s prescription faxed to 224-2907.

Parkinson’s and Dance

Cedar Rapids – Contact Kyra Gilbert, Dance Instructor at Epics Steps studio, at 319-450-3400 for more information

The focus this year, and every year, is to always offer new and empowering information to help those impacted by Parkinson’s disease, including family members and health professionals.

Keynote Presenters

• John Krumbholz, Iowa Chapter Co-President, welcomed the attendees with inspiring opening remarks, challenging Iowans to be advocates for Parkinson’s awareness.

• Dr. Emily Drabant, Research Development Manager from 23andMe, presented information on how their
  company is involved with Parkinson’s research and what genetics has revealed about Parkinson’s onset. Throughout the day, Dr. Drabant signed up individuals for 23andMe’s Parkinson’s Research study. See our Resources page for more information on the Parkinson’s Research study by 23andme. Hear Dr. Drabant’s talk at the conference and follow along with her presentation.

• Dr. Gary Leo, neurologist and sleep disorders specialist from Milwaukee, addressed the topic of sleep – different “types” of sleep, why it is important for people with Parkinson’s and their partners and how to get a decent night’s rest. Hear Dr. Leo talk at the conference and follow along with his presentation.

• Dr. Lynn Struck, Iowa Health neurologist and Medical Director of the Iowa Parkinson Disease Information and Referral Center, presented an overview of current treatments and medication and recent advances in treatment. Her expertise and knowledge is always well received, and attendees are always eager to learn more about what is being done to manage the disease currently, and what is on the horizon. Hear Dr. Struck talk at the conference and follow along with her presentation.

In both breakout sessions, several topics were presented – including caregiving, assistive technology, physical
therapy, deep-brain stimulation, nutrition, dementia, Medicaid eligibility, tai chi, depression, non-motor symptoms, incontinence, music therapy, dance and an overview of Parkinson’s for those newly diagnosed. Please see the agenda or conference program for a list of presenters.

Many thanks to attendees, speakers, exhibitors, vendors and volunteers for making this conference a success. A special thanks to Medtronic and UCB Pharmaceuticals for sponsorship. Special thanks also goes to Atlantic Bottling company, Crystal Clear and Meta Bank for in-kind donations.

See the Spring 2012 online edition of Live It.

See the Winter 2012 online edition of Live It.