By Michael Downey
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010, and for years, just suffered through the symptoms. I had heard my next door neighbor had a granddaughter who taught a dance program for people with Parkinson’s, but I always quickly changed the conversation as I trained hunting dogs and hunted, not danced! Finally one day when everyone was visiting the subject came up and I was cajoled into agreeing to go “one” time. I showed up not knowing what to expect but the instructors were so nice and the other people attending the session were enthusiastic, and I was made to feel so welcomed that I returned the next week.
It is more of a movement class, of learning complex sequences of movement. I discovered over the next couple of weeks that suddenly I was able to move better in the field, even getting in and out of a canoe was easier. All of a sudden I set my schedule by class times and went over a year without missing a class. The fellowship with classmates is an important part of the program. We discuss what treatments are working, different doctors and so on. I recommend to anyone with this terrible disease to come and try out one session. It has made a difference in my life.
— Michael Downey