“It’s important to know you’re not by yourself. I don’t call it a disease, I don’t like that word, but it is a disability. It’s an important day to
be recognised worldwide.”
Those words from Lakes Entrance resident Dave Hughes sum up the importance of
World Parkinson’s Day for members of the
PD Warrior program at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH).
PD Warrior is a Parkinson’s-specific exercise and education program, and GLCH is the only provider of this program east of Melbourne.
Dave has been attending the class for nearly three years and says both the physical and social aspects are important.
He said World Parkinson’s Day was an important opportunity for recognition
and understanding.
“It means recognition that there are lot of people out there like us who are suffering in silence, it’s important to get people out and about as much as they can.”
Patricia Arnold from Lakes Entrance has been attending the PD Warrior program for
18 months, ever since she was diagnosed.
“It’s good exercise and helps me walk better, every little detail helps me,” she said.
“Come and join us, we’re always looking for new people to come and help us along,” she said.
She said it was a relief when she received her diagnosis to understand what was happening, but also a shock as she came to terms
with Parkinson’s.
“It’s a stressful sort of disease, it affects different people in different ways,” she said.
“I was having lots of bad falls, and I didn’t know what was wrong with me.”
She said living with Parkinson’s involved having a good support network, including the PD Warrior team, her Support at Home package through GLCH and having family close by.
Fellow PD Warrior participant Glenda Fowles from Lakes Entrance says the program has a positive impact on her wellbeing.
“It makes me feel so much better after
I’ve done it. It’s very tiring, and full on, but I always feel within myself a lot better
afterwards,” she said.
“I feel like coming to the classes, and the people who you meet, makes you feel better.”
GLCH neurological physiologist Harriet Cook said the PD Warrior program is designed for people at any stage of Parkinson’s.
“The earlier we see people, the more impact we can have with exercise,” she said.
Harriet explained that PD Warrior is not a typical gym based program.
“We use high-intensity, targeted exercises that focus on big, powerful movements. We also incorporate voice projection to encourage confidence and strength in every action,” she said.
She said research shows high intensity
exercise can help slow the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms.
“It’s empowering for people because it gives them back some control over their lives.
“We’ve seen people return to hobbies
like tennis or gardening, enabling them to live their best lives.”
People living with Parkinson’s, or those supporting someone with the condition, can call GLCH Health to find out more about the PD Warrior program. Self-referrals are welcome.
