POWER FOR PARKINSON’S

“I want you to introduce yourselves. Since it’s the beginning of opera season, I want you to sing it out!” That was the direction given by Power for Parkinson’s Move and Shout instructor Lauren Lewis. Lauren was leading a class of nearly 40 people at a noon meeting in Covenant’s Eaton Hall.

Why opera? Those suffering from Parkinson’s have weakened muscles and the vocal chords, simply another muscle, start to diminish. Parkinson’s symptoms include tremors and poor balance. Sufferers also may have cognitive issues, including dementia and depression. Because of these differences, those with Parkinson’s start to spend much time alone, isolated from others.

Power for Parkinson’s, launched in January 2013, aims to get Parkinson’s sufferers out, providing free classes around Austin. Lauren was teaching one of 11 classes offered free around Austin to those with this disease.

“Covenant was our first location,” said cofounder Dr. Nina Mosier, a retired internist with a special interest in geriatric medicine. “We wanted to be able to reach a broad range of the community. Covenant is centrally located, we offer classes at ideal times of the day and it’s a beautiful space.”

Nina teamed with long-time friend Susan Stahl, a child and family psychotherapist, to bring exercise classes to the Austin Parkinson’s community. Both women’s fathers had Parkinson’s and the two saw a need—really throughout the country—for such a group. (Nina’s dad is in Philadelphia, where there is no such group.) “We were not prepared for how well attended this class would be right from the start,” Susan said. “It shows that people really needed this.”

Susan said the organization benefits greatly from community donations. “We wouldn’t be able to offer these classes for free without the generosity of places like Covenant. We really want to make it easy for people to get here. We couldn’t do that if we operated out of one location.”

Multiple locations give more Parkinson’s sufferers the chance to attend classes. “The people attending class become part of a community. They form strong friendships; some have taken trips together and there’s a weekly lunch group of about 10 to 15 people.” Susan said. “We give people with Parkinson’s a place to belong, a sense of hope.”

“They have so much more confidence,” Nina added. “They really look forward to the class and rarely miss. Once a person comes to one class, they always come back. They feel a spark. They are not different here. They are like everyone else.

“We’ve seen a lot of physical improvements,” Nina continued. “More than one participant has been able to get out of the wheelchair and move.”

One client, Patty, was not able to get up or stand. Now, she can do those things by herself. She’s so committed to the classes that she comes from Lakeway, never missing. Another man had attended class for just three weeks when his wife thanked Nina and Susan. For the first time in years, the man could put his jacket on by himself.

Why Exercise? Parkinson’s is a complex neurodegenerative disease that affects people differently. Sufferers are categorized based on presence and severity. Nina and Susan said physical symptoms are fluid among people with Parkinson’s and some days are better than others with regard to those symptoms.

Those participating in the Power for Parkinson’s fitness program are encouraged to take advantage of modifications offered in class, which can change daily based on the person’s physical abilities. The experienced instructors focus on the safety and health of the class participants.

What’s next? Since similar groups are not offered in other cities, Nina and Susan are eager to develop a model that can be imitated in other places. If you would like to get involved with Power for Parkinson’s, Nina and Susan are always looking for volunteers. To accomplish their larger goals of spreading the program across the country, they are in need of a grant writer, fundraiser and event planner. If you would rather be more hands on, volunteers of needed to help spot participants at classes. Contact Nina at nina.mosier@gmail.com. Visit their website at powerforparkinsons.org.