Parkinsonz University

Welcome to Parkinson’s University.

This is meant to give you a very basic understanding of Parkinson’s Disease, its symptoms with some strategies others have found helpful to manage them, a little about treatments, and the benefits of exercise.

It is what I think is important to have a very basic understanding and to help you find a positive way forward. I will not be addressing current research. There are other great resources for this, and I don’t spend a lot of energy following it myself.

I find it more helpful to focus my energy on all the things we can do to live our best lives NOW. We know exercise works, lets make the most of it.

Prize Fighter's Forum

I’ve created the Prize Fighter’s Forum as a community where people with Parkinson’s can come together to share strategies, stay active, and support one another in a positive and empowering way. My vision is for it to be a place where we motivate each other, celebrate victories—big and small—and exchange tools to keep moving forward. I want it to be a place that you feel reinvigorated, inspired and ready to take on the next challenge after visiting.

If you are looking for pity, you will not find it there. Instead, I am hoping the contagious spirit of the other warriors can help lift all of us up, and help each of us find gratitude. No matter how hard it gets, there is always something to be grateful for. We will focus on that, and keep moving forward.

There are many great Facebook groups where we share lessons we have learned, unfortunately the valuable wisdom shared is often lost after the original post has run its course.

My hope is that this forum will serve as a lasting resource—where knowledge, strategies, and experiences can continue to grow, evolve, and inspire others for years to come. Together, we can find gratitude in what we are able to accomplish, set big goals, and inspire one another.

I am an Air Force Veteran and a nerd, so the Prize Fighter’s Forum has a little bit of an Air Force twist. Please choose a callsign that embraces your fighting spirit. You may choose to share your real name and other info if you choose but none of that is required.

PD University is a fully non-accredited, non degree granting school where people affected by Parkinson’s Disease can learn from each other about all things Parkinson’s Disease.

I will include some evidence based information, that is backed up by real science; but unlike a traditional school, much of what is here will be anecdotal tips and tools that have helped others living with Parkinson’s Disease.

There is so much information, it can be incredibly overwhelming. I have tried to keep it to just the things I think you should know without too much fluff.

Oftentimes researchers decide what to spend time and resources researching based upon experiences of those living with this disease. I hope this can also be a place that those looking for ideas of what to research can see if there are helpful tools that can be scientifically validated, and can be published and shared with professionals who care for people with Parkinson’s disease.

LEVEL 1: INTRODUCTORY COURSES:

PD 101: Introduction to Parkinson’s Disease: You have just received this life altering diagnosis, now what?

PD: 105: Sharing the news of your PD diagnosis with your loved ones, co-workers, friends, acquaintances. What have other’s experienced when sharing the news?

PD 120: PROGRESSION OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE: What happens from here? How long can I stay active? What do I need to do to stay active as long as possible?

PD: 130: What do I need to do now? Care Team Establishment

PD: 140: Should I take Medications? What are the pros and cons of taking medications? What are the different types of medications?

PD 150: How to make the most of your Doctor’s appointments.

LEVEL 2: EXERCISE

PD: 202: History of exercise and Parkinson’s Disease? What has research shown about exercise and Parkinson’s Disease?

PD: 210: What type of exercise should I do? This course will include a summary with many different ways we can exercise with comments from other PD Warriors who have tried it and their experiences.

PD: 230: Tools to Maintain an Exercise Program

PD 240: Tools to Track your fitness

Upcoming Events in which fellow Parkinson’s Warriors are participating

LEVEL 3: PD SYMPTOMS

PD: 303: Common Parkinson’s Symptoms and Tools to Manage them?

PD: 380: What is a UPDRS score?

LEVEL 4: DEEP BRAIN STIMULATOR

PD 404: What is deep brain stimulation?