In this Month’s edition:
The Center Teams up with U of L
facebook.com/parkinsoncenter

Parkinson’s Awareness Month - pg. 1

Alternative Medicine from the Mayo Clinic - pg. 2

Bardstown Support Group 10 yr. Anniversary-pg. 3
Buddy Program Pairs Patients With Physicians

U of L Buddy Program - pg. 4
The University of Louisville Medical School and the Parkinson’s Support Center are teaming to create
The Buddy Program, an educational effort that pairs first-year medical students with people who have been
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The program aims to better educate students about Parkinson’s;
introduce students to research and career opportunities in neurology and movement disorders; and provide
people with Parkinson’s the opportunity to interact closer with the medical community. Buddies will be
matched with first-year medical students for one calendar year, and will meet two to three hours a month.
CENTER HAPPENINGS
The Buddy Program will be open to anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s and who has the time and interest
to participate. On the medical side, the students must be entering their first year at the University of
Louisville Medical School and they must have an interest in interacting and learning more about patients
with Parkinson’s. They also must make a time commitment.
Patients must understand that this is an education program and that the medical students will not be able to
give medical advice.
For more information, check www.parkinsoncenter.org or www.uoflphysicians.com. Or, call the Center at
502.254.3388 or email [email protected].
Event Sponsors
& Transform Multimedia
Help us serve people with Parkinson’s disease, their family members
and caregivers by attending.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center, Room 3
1860 Mellwood Avenue
6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
JEANS ATTIRE!
Emcee - Tim Laird
Western-themed catering by Wiltshire Pantry
Tasting Table and Signature Drink by Jefferson Reserve
Tickets on sale now
To pay by credit card go to
www.parkinsoncenter.org
Silent Auction, Live Auction and Dancing to Endless Summer Band!
Parkinson Support Center 315 Townepark Circle, #100, Louisville, KY 40243
www.parkinsoncenter.org
https://www.youtube.com/
www.parkinsoncenter.org
April 2015
What’s going on, what’s coming up and when it is going to happen!
April is Parkinson’s Disease
Awareness Month
Parkinson’s Awareness Month Provides
Opportunity For Learning
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and for thousands of Parkinson’s
patients, this month is an opportunity to become even more aware of the
Parkinson Support Center and the support offered to Parkinson’s patients,
their caregivers and family members.
The Parkinson’s Support Center provides patients with knowledge and
hope. The Center receives calls daily from individuals newly diagnosed and
overwhelmed. They are connected to a network of physicians, our
participating pharmacist named Chris Harlow, information about exercise
classes, which offer relief and stress management, as well as symptoms
such as tremors, impaired or slowed movements, rigidity or stiffness of the
limbs and trunk, and impaired balance and coordination.
Barbara M. Nichols
Twitter.com/parkinsoncenter
The Parkinson’s Support Center is the only non-profit of its kind in the
45-county region in Kentucky and Southern Indiana that offers 17 support
groups, educational series (such as PD 101), and free exercise classes
(three separate yoga classes and twice-weekly Fight Back with Fitness!
classes).
The Center is funded through a variety of sources - from grants to corporate
and individual donations. The Center’s largest annual fundraising event, the
8th Annual Denim & Diamonds Gala, is coming up on Friday, June 5 at
Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center, Room 3. Other fundraising efforts
during the year include a fall Trivia Bowl and the “Living Well with
Parkinson’s” Symposium.
As part of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, you are encouraged to reach out
to anyone you know who may be dealing with their disease alone. After all,
few things match the support and encouragement of others fighting the
same battle. Please visit our website at www.parkinsoncenter.org or call us
at 502.254.3388.
2015 D&D Sponsors
to date
Event Sponsors:
US WorldMeds
Barbara M. Nichols
Publisher’s Printing Company
PNC Bank
TEVA Pharmaceuticals
Transform Multi-Media
Silent Auction Sponsors:
Carl deGraaf
Dee’s Crafts
Karen Boone Design
Clare Hirn Studio
Texas Roadhouse
Courney Howell-Kidd, Esq. PLLC
Tracy Barnes DC
Raven by Hair
Johnny Cash Museum—TN
Dance Louisville
BLU Boutique
The Hitching Post Tack Shop
Freda’s Fancy Flowers
Great Flood Brewing Co.
Tranquility Salon & Spa
Kentucky Science Center
J Designs
JCC/Center Stage
Bunbury Theatre
Jacqueline’s Salon & Spa
Merkley Kendrick Jewelers
Copper & Kings
Comfy Cow
Le Bliss Hair Salon
502 Power Yoga
PGA of America
French Lick Resort
Valhalla Golf Club
Live Well Chiropractic
Body Mechanics Massage
Dandelion Boutique
Pure Balanced Health
Pilates Village
Infinite Bliss Yoga
Be Well Fitness & Rehab
Yoga on Baxter
Work the Metal
Cellar Door Chocolates
Artist & Craftsman Supply
Preston Arts Center
Continued page 3
Alternative Medicine Information from the
Mayo Clinic Newsletter
Alternative Medicine
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Some types of alternative medicine may help people with
Parkinson's disease, including:

Coenzyme Q10. Early research suggested that coenzyme
Q10 in high doses may be beneficial for people in the early
stages of Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, larger studies
haven't confirmed this. Coenzyme Q10 appears to be safe.
You can buy coenzyme Q10 without a prescription in drug
stores and natural food stores.

Massage. Massage therapy can reduce muscle tension
and promote relaxation. These services, however, are rarely
covered by health insurance.

Acupuncture. During an acupuncture session, a trained
practitioner inserts tiny needles into many specific points on
your body, which may reduce your pain.

Tai chi. An ancient form of Chinese exercise, tai chi
employs slow, flowing motions that may improve flexibility,
balance and muscle strength. Tai chi may also prevent falls.
Several forms of tai chi are tailored for people of any age or
physical condition.
A study showed tai chi may improve the balance of people
with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease more than stretching and resistance training.

Yoga. In yoga, gentle stretching movements and poses
may increase your flexibility and balance. You may modify
most poses to fit your physical abilities.

Alexander technique. This technique — which focuses on
muscle posture, balance and thinking about how you use
muscles — may reduce muscle tension and pain.

Meditation. In meditation, you quietly reflect and focus
your mind on an idea or image. Meditation may reduce stress
and pain and improve your sense of well-being.

Music or art therapy. Music or art therapy may help you
to relax. Music therapy helps some people with Parkinson's
disease to improve their walking and speech. Participating in
art therapy, such as painting or ceramics, may improve your
fine motor skills and strength and help you express your
emotions.

Pet therapy. Having a dog or cat may increase your
flexibility and movement and improve your emotional health.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TEVA Neuroscience
Educational Event
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 6:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Registration at 5:30
p.m.) Corner Café, 9307 New
LaGrange Road, Louisville, KY 40242.
Dr. Angela Hardwick with Norton
Neuroscience to speak on “Living Well
with Parkinson’s Disease”. Free to the
public & dinner provided. Registration is
required and limited. Register at
[email protected]. or
502.254.3388.
Walk with the Doc
Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Parklands of Floyds Fork at Egg Lawn.
Come learn about Parkinson’s disease,
take a walk and have the opportunity to
talk with Dr. Kathrin LaFaver. It is free to
attend. Call 502.254.3388 or email
[email protected].
Sponsored by KentuckyOne Health.
Saturday April 11, 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Church of the Epiphany, 914 Old Harrods
Creek Rd. Come hear Deborah Boone
present on “Caring for the Caregiver”.
Learn more about resources for
caregivers through various organizations
and booths. For more information call
502.254.3388.
Thursday, April 23, 2015 1:00 p.m.-2:30
p.m. Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital,
3104 Blackiston Blvd., New Albany, IN.
National Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Celebration as well as balance and
speech screenings. PCU Activity/Dining
Room.
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.11:00 a.m. Shawnee Park. (Meet at the
middle concourse parking lot, just north of
the bandstand on the river side of the
park.) Join Colleen Knoop, APRN, Nurse
Practitioner with UofL Physicians,
Neurology. Call 502.254.3388 or email
[email protected].
D&D continued
Silent Auction
Perfect North Slopes
Bluegrass Tours
Feeder’s Supply
St. Charles Exchange
Deion Branch
Bluegrass Indoor Karting
Stephen Photography
Louisville Mega Caverns
Uptown Art
L. Brooks & Lorraine C.
Miner
Patricia Steiner
Old 502 Winery
Flame Run
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Gordon Biersch
Frazier History Museum
Regalo’s
Gross Diamond Co.
Feeder’s Supply
Paw’s Pet Care Pet
Sitting
Trader Joe’s
Louisville Slugger Field
Steier Knives
Bardstown Group Celebrates
10th Anniversary
Group Leader Jane Swarts talks about the benchmark
This year marks Jane Swarts’ and the Bardstown Support Group’s 10- year
anniversary. Jane, a Nelson County native, lived in Louisville for over 20
years where she was an Intensive Care Nursery Nurse, before moving back
to Bardstown 11 years ago.
Jane’s husband John Swarts was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in
1998. However, Jane is no stranger to Parkinson’s - her father also had
Parkinson’s disease. Jane and John Swarts were actively involved in the
Parkinson Support Center in the Denim and Diamonds Gala and the annual
“Living Well with Parkinson’s” Symposium while living in Louisville.
When they moved back to Bardstown, they realized the lack of support for
people with Parkinson’s and their families, so they decided to form a support
group. Dr. Litvan spoke at their first meeting in the Summer of 2005. Over
80 people attended.
The Bardstown Support Group continues to grow and sustain an average of
15-20 people at each meeting. The group is comprised of people who have
been there since the inception of the group, with those who have been newly
diagnosed, and their care givers.
This support group has thrived because of the countless hours Jane has put
into the programs and marketing of the group. Jane says that she continues
the group because of the feelings of hope and friendship that come from the
attendees. She is inspired and re-energized after every meeting and
she appreciates the family that she has formed because of this group. Jane
has touched so many lives and has been a true asset to the Parkinson
community, which was evident when numerous family, friends and
community members showed up to surprise Jane and celebrate her
contribution at their March 18 support group meeting.
Fitness in the Park
Participate and 25% of each referral will be
donated to the Parkinson Support Center
Starting April 13 - September 11, Eric Richardson will teach a full-body
workout in one of Louisville’s beautiful parks. No need to get stuck in a gym
when Louisville has the best park system in the country. To participate,
contact Eric Richardson at 502.550.2754.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Friday, April 3, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
Learn about the symptoms and treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and how the
Parkinson Support Center can help.
Location: Jeffersontown Library, 10635 Watterson Trail. Call 502.267.5713
for more information.