I am very very lucky because a Neuro wellness center opened recently in my community. The idea for it, and part of the initial funding for it came from a woman who has had PD for 19 years. Her family's foundation worked with the Banner health care system to set up Banner Neuro Wellness.

It is a place where anyone with a neurological disease and their spouses (although so far nearly all of us have PD) can go for exercise and support. It doesn't matter who your doctor is. The exercise specialist on staff has been trained by Dr Becky Farley in her "BIG" and PWR! GYM techniques. There is also yoga, art, music, drumming, and soon will be dance - all with the goal of helping PWP live better. A new support group which meets every week is there, and neurologists come several times a month to present information on different topics. There are also plans for nutritionists and other health care professionals to come.

I know how incredibly lucky I am to have this available to me. (And I know that other far-flung communities in the Valley are clamoring for the same type of facility.) Driving to downtown Phoenix was a barrier to my participating in any activities there.

I think this should become a model for neighborhood-based community wellness centers in the US and the world. I've begun mentioning the World Parkinson Congress to the folks who are running the center, because I think that what is going on here should be shared with the greater PD community. And I think that the WPC 2013 in Montreal would be a great place to talk about it.

And this is the major task that I think the PD orgs (excepting MJFF) should do. Work together. And coordinate with other orgs -- like the MS society -- to establish wellness centers in our neighborhoods.

If anyone reading this is on a patient committee for any of the Orgs (not you, Carey ), I hope you will talk about this to your groups. Or if like me you have a family member with MS, work with them - and together contact the MS Society. Or talk to your neurologist and folks at your local health care center. It will help us all and everyone around us if we live better.

We do have a voice. It's time. Lets make some noise about this.

Jean

Jean - In case you haven't, you might want to forward this concept to Brian Grant - might be a good fit for his foundation

Carey - thank you for the advice - I will do so!

Jean

i am going to intervew Brian for the book. i will bring this up. His site needs more focus IMHO and wellness centers plus multiple cultures could yield some data.

we are all in this together - whoever contributes the most and causes a change in the condition gets a pat on the back and moves on to the next task...no unneeded duplication.

Wellness centers are wonderful and Jean you really lucked out. we also have people who are living alone and need help; so why not a tv reality show flip this house for disabled.

some money entering the picture enables us to finish what he start; advanced pwp need homes to share. the other orgs could be taking care of us in ths manner.

Last but not least, i'm proud to say the book donations are starting to flow in. we will publish soon. it will later be online and translated in several languages.