By Karen McBride
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative progressive brain disorder associated with the loss of dopamine producing nerve cells (neurons) deep inside the brain. There is NO cure for Parkinson’s. You will not die from the disease, however, you can die with complications associated with Parkinson’s. Alarming statics show that every six minutes another person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. The disease starts with motor symptoms of slight tremors, stiffness or slowing of movement and poor balance and coordination. Over time, the non-motor symptoms become more devastating and challenging for people with Parkinson’s such as difficulties with blood pressure and mood changes.
“Parkinson’s is no longer an elderly person’s disease. It’s a disease that impacts people of all ages. Michael J. Fox was diagnosed at age 29”, said Valerie Herrero, Board Member of pdLIFE, a non-profit 501-3C organization that serves, supports, and helps unify the Parkinson’s community in the Greater Tampa Bay area.
Valerie first became involved as an advocate in the fight against the Parkinson’s Disease progression when her 52-year old late husband was diagnosed and heard those infamous 3 words “You have Parkinson’s”.
Meredith DeFranco, PT, DPT is the Founder/ and the CEO of pdLIFE. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Meredith sees patients with Parkinson’s Disease at Potentia Therapeutics in South Tampa. She is PWR! Certified and has participated in the National Parkinson’s Foundation Allied Team Training, Movement Disorder Society meetings, the World Parkinson Congress, and participated on the UF deep brain stimulation board to assist with the process of screening potential surgical candidates. Over the last two years, Meredith has co-hosted the Parkinson’s Foundation Tampa Bay Moving Day Walk to raise money for Parkinson’s Foundation.
pdLIFE offers seven free weekly exercise classes and many social events for the Parkinson’s community. The pdLIFE mission is to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their CarePartners/Givers through Lifestyles, Information, Fitness and Empowerment (LIFE). At this time, there is no cure for Parkinson’s but there is HOPE, exercises, procedures and drugs to manage the disease with. To name a few advancements: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS Brain Pacemaker), Duopa Levodopa Pump, Inbrija oral levodopa inhalers, and express release levodopa carbidopa medication that can be incorporated into daily routines to treat the Parkinson’s symptoms.
Scientific trials have proven that exercise improves mobility and helps fight apathy and depression. The more intense the exercise, the better for connecting the body and brain again. However, before starting any new exercise program, always check with your doctors for approval.
pdLIFE is currently holding exercise classes at three gym locations:
Barksdale Senior Adult Community Center, 1801 N Lincoln Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Mondays @ 11:00 am Conditioning
Wednesdays @ 10:00 am Intervals/HIIT
PD Warrior – High Intensity Class (Pre-Assessment Required)
Tampa Movement Lab, 1335 W. Gray Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays @11am
Saturdays @ 10:00 am
PD for All
Omar K Lightfoot Senior Recreation Center
10901 N 56th Street, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Tuesdays @ 11:15am
Please see www.parkinsonlife.org for other exercise class resources in the greater Tampa Bay Area.
Group Lunches are Held the First Monday of Each Month
After a fun-filled energetic exercise workout, the group goes for a social lunch. It’s important for people with Parkinson’s and their CarePartner/Giver to have supportive friends who understand the many challenges of the disease.
“When first diagnosed, people may be in denial. They may hide their diagnosis from family friends and employers, but they need to become PD fighting warriors with exercise! Socializing helps by talking and sharing stories the many lifestyle changes to support each other and know we are all in this fighting Parkinson’s battle,” said Valerie.
pdLIFE is a friend, a family that you can call upon when health situations arise. People with Parkinson’s experience good and bad days and pdLIFE is here to help support you through your journey. Through the support groups, people learn the importance of maintaining a sense of life normalcy such as: having date nights, going out with friends for dinner, game nights, movie days, travel, etc. You can still have a very fulfilling life by adapting to the new daily challenges. Some people with Parkinson’s have even had awakened new extra-curricular activities such as art, painting and writing books.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group are Held the Second Wednesday of Each Month
The next meeting is October 11, 2023, from 11-12 at the Barksdale Senior Adult Community Center. There are two groups: Group 1: Parkinson’s support group for CarePartners/Givers Group 2: People with Parkinson’s support group.
Monthly Educational Lunch and Learn Meetings are Held on Fourth Monday of Each Month
Knowledge is powerful and the more that is learned and shared about Parkinson’s Disease the better the lives can be. Some of our past professional educational meetings guest speakers have been Pharmaceutical Reps, Occupational Therapist, Doctors, Audiology Hearing Specialist, Speech Therapist, Elders Law Attorney who share the many topics of interest People with Parkinson’s encounter.
3rd Annual pdLIFE MacFarlane Park Exercise Obstacle Course Challenge
The Annual pdLIFE MacFarlane Park Exercise Obstacle Course Challenge event is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2023, for the Greater Tampa Bay Parkinson’s Family Community. The course is designed to test the strength, stamina, and mind while meeting and socializing with their fellow PD Warriors and families.The event is from 9:30 am-1pm at MacFarlane Park, 1700 N MacDill Ave, Pavilion 401-402, Tampa, Fl 33607 Family and friends are welcome and invited to come support our PD Challengers! A potluck lunch is planned after the course challenge.
For more information on how to get involved in this organization, please visit:
Website: https://parkinsonlife.org or Facebook @pdLIFE and Instagram: @pdlife_inthebay or Email: parkinsonlifecorporation@gmail.com.