A Message From The Executive Director | |
|
Thank you for ‘Doing Good’ this Giving Tuesday!
Hello all!
This past Tuesday, November 28th, was Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday is a global movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It is a day of generosity in all forms!
U-Turn Parkinson’s is fortunate enough to have an amazing community of people who strive to provide support for people living with Parkinson’s disease, their care partners, and family! The U-Turn Parkinson’s team wants to thank all of those who were able to support us on this day!
Not only did all donations on Tuesday receive a 1% match from CanadaHelps, but all donations entered us into a draw to win an extra $1,000 to go to Parkinson’s disease wellness programs and services!
It's Not too Late!
If you missed out on making contributions on the 28th, don't worry! U-Turn Parkinson’s will be running our holiday campaign until January 1, 2024! All donations over $20 dollars will receive a charitable tax receipt and we offer multiple donation options to make the process simple.
|  | |
|
We have also built a group of amazing U-Turn Parkinson’s Circle of Champions, who give monthly! If Parkinson’s has affected someone in your community, you are a person living with Parkinson’s disease, you are welcome to join the circle today!
If you have any questions about the donation process or options, you can visit our website here call 204-510-4869.
Other Ways to Support U-Turn Parkinson’s this Holiday Season
Giving Tuesday isn’t only about sharing financial generosity with organizations and people who have similar visions and values as you. It is also about expressing generosity in other ways every day!
Give time through volunteering for our Community Advisory Committee, writing a letter of recommendation for your favourite program, sending us a testimonial for your favourite class, offering to carpool with a program member, meeting for a coffee with friends within U-Turn Parkinson’s outside of program times are all meaningful ways you can make a difference!
You can also view further in this newsletter a new way to contribute to the U-Turn Parkinson’s community! Everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts.
“The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humour and style and generosity and kindness.”
– Maya Angelou
Taylor Devlin
U-Turn Parkinson's Executive Director
| |
Join Our Circle of Champions
What is the Circle of Champions? It's that group of individuals who see and appreciate the day to day needs of U-Turn Parkinson’s and choose to donate on a monthly basis.
They are often the unsung hero, the bedrock on which our centre is held unshaken. They understand that the fundamentals are not ‘sexy’, that the essentials are not glamorous. But they understand that they are fundamental and essential none the less.
They get ‘it’, they understand, they are the ones who will lock arms with you and stand with you no matter what. This group is generally not made up of the majority, they are typically the few.
Are you a champion? Will you be our Champion? Be our foundation to an unshaken future!
| | |
|
Hey, Party People!
Get ready to jingle and mingle because we're throwing the ultimate holiday bash, and YOU are invited!
It's time to spread the joy, laughter, and holiday cheer at our annual U-Turn Parkinson’s Holiday Party & Potluck!
Bring your favorite holiday dish to share - from savory delights to sweet treats, let's make this a potluck to remember!
Date: December 9th
Time: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: 525 Beresford Avenue
Warm up this winter with a chance to gather together to celebrate the holidays, have some good food and good conversation!
RSVP ASAP and let us know what delectable delight you're bringing to the table. This is one holiday party you won't want to miss!
See you on December 9th for a holly jolly good time!
| |
|
U-Turn Parkinson's Family Spotlight | |
|
Katia Torres: U-Turn Parkinson's U-Crew Member
When did you join our U-Crew and how did you first hear about us?
I started volunteering with U-Turn Parkinson's in October this year. I was looking for an opportunity to give back to our community and I found out about U-TurnPD through Volunteer Manitoba.
Which classes are you volunteering at and what do you think makes them great for those living with PD?
I am volunteering twice a week in Dancing with Parkinson's and Empower U classes. I feel all the classes U-Turn offers are great for helping navigate the journey that is living with PD. Studies have shown that physical activity is very important to maintain strength, flexibility, and balance, which is the focus of each U-Turn class.
| |  |
|
They also create a sense of community and belonging where individuals work together to improve their quality of life in a fun and engaging manner.
What do you like most about being part of the U-Turn PD family?
I am grateful I found this organization that is run by such a wonderful group of people; participants, coaches, staff, and volunteers are key figures that make these programs happen. I like to see the participants' efforts and willingness to follow and engage by being resilient and feeling empowered while having fun at the same time. I wish we had programs like these in Peru when my mom was diagnosed with PD. We had no adequate support or resources to help her through her journey. That's why I feel grateful we can count on U-Turn here in Canada and I feel blessed to be a part of it.
3 fun facts about Katia:
- I met my husband in a country that doesn't exist anymore: USSR.
- I love plants and flowers. I have a collection of orchid plants and I talk to them every day.
- I "swam" with sea lions in the pacific ocean with my son. (I am not the most experienced swimmer)
Learn more about joining Katia on our U-Crew here or sign up to join her in class!
| | |
|
Holiday Closures
As the holidays come around the corner, we want to remind all of our participants that we will be closed on December 25th and December 26th.
As we usher in the joyous spirit of the season, we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends during this special time of year.
Wishing you all a joyful and restful holiday season!
| |
Calling all Care Partners! | |
We're hosting an Art Therapy Workshop for all of our U-TurnPD Care Partners!
This workshop will be led by Gillian King, a psychotherapist who specializes in art therapy and has had extensive experience working with people with Parkinson's and their families/friends.
Join us December 12th at 5:30PM at 525 Beresford Avenue!
Come for the workshop, try something new, unwind before the holidays and meet other Care Partners!
To join, please email us at info@uturnpd.org!
| | |
|
We're Hiring!
We're looking for a gifted leader to help our community strengthen and protect our voices through song.
Interested? Call Tim at 204-781-2327 or email tim@uturnpd.org
| |
|
Winter Cancellation Policy
As the frosty winds start to blow, we want to remind you of our Winter Cancellation Policy to ensure that you stay snug as a bug in a rug during the chilly season!
In the event of class cancellations, we will strive to give a 2-hour notice to participants who have signed-up for class. This will hopefully allow everyone ample time to adjust their plans.
We understand that sometimes it’s not possible to make it to class. If you find yourself unable to make it to a scheduled class, please give us a call at 204-510-4869 or email us at info@uturnpd.org so that we can ensure everyone is accounted for!
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we go through the winter season together. Safety is paramount and by staying connected, we can ensure that everyone in our community stays informed and supported!
| | |
|
Class Act: Friendly Reminder to Sign Up Online or Connect with Us Directly!
Quick reminder to sign up for your upcoming classes online through our website to ensure we have everything ready for your participation!
How to Sign Up Online:
1. Visit our website: uturnparkinsons.org
2. Navigate to the 'Join a Class' drop-down menu and select ‘Sign-Up for Class’
3. Select your desired class and follow the prompts to register.
We appreciate your cooperation in making the online sign-up process a breeze! If you haven't yet created an account to join our community, you can do so here.
Need a Hand? No Worries!
If you find yourself in a bit of a tech tangle or simply prefer the personal touch, give us a call at 204-510-4869 or shoot us an email at info@uturnpd.org. We're here to help, and your attendance is super important to us!
Remember, the more, the merrier! So, whether you sign up online or reach out to us directly, let us know you're coming so we can prepare. See you in class!
| |
New Swag is Coming!
We're excited to offer you a few new pieces of U-Turn Parkinson's swag to add to your collection!
Get cozy with a U-TurnPD hoodie, a new charcoal grey "live your best" shirt or our classic black U-TurnPD tee.
Swag will be available soon for pick up in Winnipeg. Watch your email for more information!
| | |
|
Get your Creative Juices Flowing!
U-Turn Parkinson’s Members are Invited to Contribute to U-Turn Parkinson’s Blog
| |
|
Hello Everyone!
At U-Turn Parkinson’s we are so fortunate to have an amazing community of members eager to get involved in any way they can! This has previously included fundraising for our annual events, volunteering at classes, workshops and fundraisers, engaging in our Community Advisory Committee and writing letters of support for grant applications. Now, after much discussion with out Community Advisory Committee, we would like to extend to our community another way to get involved!
U-Turn Parkinson’s is opening up the opportunity for our community to contribute to the blog posts on our website! For those unfamiliar with blogs, a blog post is a website post typically covering a specific topic, is educational in nature, ranges from 600 to 2,000+ words (a 5-10 minute read), and can contain other media types such as images, videos, infographics, and interactive charts, etc.
Never visited our blog page before? See it HERE!
For those in our fold who feel they are capable writers, we are inviting you to contribute posts to our blog. Pieces can focus on particular Parkinson’s symptoms, care topics, or personal stories you would like to share. We just ask that you keep in mind U-Turn Parkinson’s values of positivity and hope as components to any pieces you contribute.
View our Blog Post Guidelines to get Started
Have an idea or story to share but not comfortable with writing? Send us your ideas via email at info@uturnpd.org and we can connect you with a member to collaborate on a blog post!
U-Turn Parkinson’s Staff are Here to Support You!
U-Turn Parkinson’s staff will be able to assist with the writing process by engaging in editing of contributed posts, checking grammar and spelling, and asking questions for clarification when applicable.
Staff will be creating a posting schedule, so don't get discouraged if your post isn’t added to the website immediately. We'll be staggering the release of content and including some in our monthly newsletters. U-TurnPD staff will also have the ability to modify any content that they deem inappropriate for posting.
Interested in Contributing?
Don’t forget to read our Member Blog Content Guidelines before you get started to ensure your post is accepted. We will be accepting content starting in December for as early as January 2024 release. You can submit blog posts to info@uturnpd.org.
If you have a topic idea, you can submit an idea to the form on the blog page of the website.
Lastly, if you are interested in writing a blog post, but are looking for topic ideas, please feel free to email U-Turn Parkinson’s at info@uturnpd.org, and we would be happy to pass along ideas submitted by other members!
We are so excited to be able to further engage our community to support the Parkinson’s journey of others!
“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.” — Michelle Obama
Taylor Devlin
U-Turn Parkinson’s Executive Director
| |
Stress and the Holiday Season | |
|
The holiday season is known for being one of the most joyful and exciting times of the year. However, this season can also bring extra stressors including changes in routine, financial constraints, and managing high expectations.
62% of people describe their stress levels as “very or somewhat elevated during the holidays." More women than men report feeling stressed around the holidays due to having less time to relax with the responsibilities of holiday shopping and planning. Hosting family and planning gatherings with the hype of the holiday season can all increase the amount of stress felt during this time. Here are some common stressors during the holidays and suggestions for how they can be managed.
|  | |
You or someone else may feel isolated or lonely during the holiday season, especially if away from family or have lost loved ones. Seasonal changes such as lengthened dark hours and cold weather make it difficult to be outside and can cause additional sadness.
Suggestion: Encourage social connection through phone calls, video chats, or visits from friends and family. Consider volunteering or participating in community events to foster a sense of belonging. Bundling up and getting outside for a quick 15 minute walk can help.
The holiday season can be expensive. People on fixed incomes may feel financial pressure during the holiday season to purchase gifts, decorations, food for gatherings, or participating in holiday activities. This is also a common time for businesses or charities to ask for donations.
Suggestion: Discuss budgeting and set realistic expectations for gift-giving and special holiday purchases. Decide what you want to prioritize during this time. Consider alternatives like homemade gifts or experiences that don’t involve significant expenses.
Health concerns can be exacerbated during the colder months. People may worry more about illness or the impact of winter weather on their well-being.
Suggestion: Prioritize health by staying active, maintaining regular medical check-ups, and following any recommended health guidelines. Ensure access to warm clothing and a well-heated home.
Changes in routine, holiday preparations, and disruptions to daily life can be unsettling for people who thrive on a consistent routine. Changes in living situations or family dynamics can also be a source of stress.
Suggestion: Create a holiday schedule that incorporates familiar routines as much as possible. Communicate plans in advance, and involve everyone in holiday preparations if they are willing and able. Reach out for extra support and understanding from family during the times of change. Encourage open communications and facilitate discussion about how to adapt holiday traditions to new circumstances.
| |
|
Christmas may bring up memories of loved ones who have passed away, leading to feelings of grief and sadness.
Suggestion: Provide emotional support to create opportunities for people to share memories. Consider memorializing loved ones in a meaningful way, such as lighting a candle or creating a memory board.
- Mobility and Accessibility Issues
People with mobility issues may find it challenging to navigate crowded places or holiday events. The weather can also increase mobility challenges with snow and ice.
Suggestion: Plan activities that are accessible and considerate of mobility limitations. If attending events, ensure there are accommodations such as seating, ramps, or elevators. Wear shoes with grip or spikes on the soles to increase friction and decrease fall risk.
- Overcommitment and Stressful Expectations
You or someone else may feel pressured to meet unrealistic expectations such as hosting gatherings or participating in numerous activities.
Suggestion: Encourage realistic expectations, and discuss and prioritize activities that are enjoyable and manageable. Focus on quality over quantity.
People who are not familiar with or comfortable using technology may feel left out of virtual celebrations or struggle with online shopping.
Suggestion: Ask for assistance with technology from friends and family, or watch video tutorials. Consider arranging in-person visits if possible. Try to go Christmas shopping during non-peak times to reduce stress.
While this time of year can be busy, it is still important to prioritize sleep, healthy behaviors, and exercise to take care of yourself as someone with Parkinson’s disease.
This may involve declining some invitations, delegating responsibilities, keeping up with medications and balancing your diet. The goal is to be social but at your own pace and ability.
Being around loved ones can do wonders for your mental health and spirit when done with proper care.
Temptation to indulge in rich foods and drinks can be hard to resist. However it is important to remember that what you eat can significantly impact your symptoms. A balanced diet and exercise can help improve energy levels, decrease fatigue and improve overall wellness.
Your usual exercise routine may be changed during the holiday season. However, you can still partake in exercise with an online workout video. U-TurnPD has live and pre-recorded videos that can be accessed at any time. It's important to encourage open communication, be mindful of individual needs and find ways to create meaningful connections to help navigate the holiday season with less stress and more enjoyment.
Resources
https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/holiday-stress-brain#:~:text=Sixty%2Dtwo%20percent%20of%20respondents,no%20stress%20during%20the%20season.
https://pcla.org/7-tips-for-getting-through-the-holidays-with-parkinsons/
| | |
|
|
Become a PD Avenger today!
You can join the Global Alliance raising their voices for those living with Parkinson's Disease by clicking HERE.
PD Avengers is not a charity nor affiliated with any one organization. Their mandate is to use the value of combined effort, influence and skills to prove Parkinson’s matters and to build a sense of real urgency to end this disease.
| | |
We are so grateful for all funding provided to U-Turn Parkinson's. Sponsorship & Grants Provided by: | | | | |
