June Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Making an Impact + Pickled for Parkinsons Returns!
  • Cathy's story: Improving Parkinson's Symptoms
  • Rising with Alinda: A Story of Laughter, Resilience, and Community
  • Virtual Events for Patients and Care partners

Making an Impact + Pickled for Parkinsons Returns!

May was a busy month at Rise Above Parkinsons. We disbursed almost $10,000 in grant funds to Parkinson’s patients in need. About 1/3rd of that was used to pay medical bills. Another portion (17%) went towards activity fees like Rock Steady Boxing programs, 13% towards in-home care, and the remainder for medications, transportation services, non-medical therapies (e.g., massage therapy), assistive devices, and living expenses (rent, utility bills, and the like).

We also announced the 2nd annual Pickled for Parkinsons™ pickleball tournament fundraiser, to take place November 1st in Tarpon Springs. We are pleased to already have a few sponsors on board, and we will be busy pursuing additional sponsorship opportunities in the coming months.


Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn - links at the bottom of this email) for announcements and updates regarding the tournament.


Player registration will open in August.


More info: Pickled@RiseAboveParkinsons.org

www.PickledForParkinsons.org

Cathy's Story: Improving Parkinson's Symptoms

Before receiving my diagnosis of Parkinson’s I was having various PD symptoms. My right leg would drag. I struggled to use my right arm and hand. This made even the simplest tasks like typing, combing my hair or brushing my teeth a daunting challenge. I couldn't multiply, add, subtract or divide or decipher time zone changes! If I was like this now, I wondered what would the future hold?


Following my diagnosis, I began making exercising daily a priority. One day in a bookstore I came across a book titled "Delay the Disease: Prevent the Progression of Parkinson’s" by David Zid. It felt like a lifeline. This book was like a cookbook of how to improve PD symptoms. When the pandemic hit, they developed a daily zoom class, known as Total Healthworks

I was already committed to exercising an hour a day and adhering to my medication regimen. I decided to challenge myself and incorporate a chapter from the book into my daily routine. Slowly I began to see improvements and after 6 months I regained the above functions. To maintain my progress, I do the routines weekly.  


In 2023, I became certified to teach the Delay the Disease Exercising Program. I have attended numerous conferences, participated in multifaceted exercise classes, and recently developed a popular handwriting/fine motor movements workshop for people with Parkinson’s.


Cathy was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2018.

Rising with Alinda: A Story of Laughter, Resilience, and Community

By Robert Cochrane, PhD – Founder, Yes, And…eXercise!

It’s an honor to share a little bit about one of our most beloved community members—and a proud Floridian: Alinda Ramos-Marciano. I’ve had the joy of working with Alinda for several years now through our nonprofit, Yes, And…eXercise!, which uses improvisation and Cinema Therapy storytelling to support the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community - including people with PD, care partners, family members, and medical/wellness experts.


Alinda has been a long time participant in our weekly Jam for Joy improv sessions. In case the word “improv” scares you, let me assure you it’s for everyone. We play rather than perform. It’s all online so you’re in the comfort of your home. And it’s absolutely a safe, brave, and fun space - laughter is guaranteed. Participants, including Alinda, consistently tell us it improves their mood, cognition and resilience. The heart of improv is play, listening, and connection - those are all things Alinda models beautifully. 

More recently, Alinda enrolled in our Cinema Therapy: Fielding Your Dreams program, where participants explore their personal stories via writing through the lens of the Hero’s Journey. This isn’t about pretending things are easy. It’s about honoring the challenges while discovering the power within. Alinda has embraced this journey with deep honesty and strength. I’ve watched her light up as she’s reclaimed her story in new and empowering ways. She’s also a champion in the way she supports others. 


One of the stories to emerge from this program, What I Didn’t Say, deeply resonated with Alinda. She has become a passionate supporter of the project, which is now being developed into a feature film. It means the world to see our community members not only creating meaningful work but yes, and-ing each other along the way. That’s what Yes, And…eXercise! is all about: building a space where we rise together.


If you’ve never tried improv, I invite you to drop in. No experience is required, and I promise it’s more fun than you can imagine. We offer free online Zoom classes twice a week:

  • Tuesdays at 1:00pm ET
  • Thursdays at 7:00pm ET 

You can find all the details at yesandexercise.org/improv


If you have questions about any of our offerings or want to learn more about how storytelling and improvisation can support your Parkinson’s journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at robert@yesandexercise.org.


Alinda is proof that joy, creativity, and connection can thrive even in the midst of challenge. I’m so grateful for her presence—and for this incredible community we’re building together. Let’s keep rising.


Rise Above Parkinsons is always encouraging our clients to explore new, fun things, so why not give improv a try?

Virtual Events for Patients and Care Partners

Each month, we try to point you towards events of interest that are happening in Florida and outside. This month we highlight the offerings of the Davis Phinney Foundation.


The Davis Phinney Foundation provides Parkinson's education, tools, resources, and inspiration that touch on every aspect of life: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and financial. They are the publishers of the free Every Victory Counts resource of essential information for living well with Parkinson's. Visit their website (davisphinneyfoundation.org) to get your copy.


Living With Parkinson's Meetup: Thursday, June 19 @ 3pm - A monthly series that brings together a panel of people diagnosed with Parkinson's for open, honest, real, and always fun conversations about everything you ever wanted to know about PD but were afraid to ask.


Care Partner Meetup: Tuesday, June 3 @ 2pm - Held on the first Tuesday of every month, this meetup of care partners and special guests discusses concerns, challenges, and questions that many PD care partners have today.


Help us get a @GreatNonprofits 2025 Top-Rated Award by writing a review at https://greatnonprofits.org/org/rise-above-parkinsons-inc.


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