Aloha from snowy Washington DC,

As many of you know from email and social media posts, today is Parkinson’s Advocacy Day. That’s why I am in DC. I had planned to meet with the staffs of Senators Schatz and Hirono’s and Representatives Gabbard and Hanabusa but the weather had other ideas. Instead I will be talking to them by phone. I was going to discuss issues that affect all of us, specifically funding of Parkinson’s research for treatment of symptoms and finding a cure, obtaining more resources for local patients and caregivers, and to thank the Senators and Representatives for supporting the repeal of therapy caps.

If you have a minute, I would ask you to contact our Congressional delegates to express your support for these issues. Details on how to contact our Congressional delegates are listed at the link below.

Mahalo nui loa,

Jerry Boster

http://advocate.michaeljfox.org/mjff/app/write-a-letter?1&engagementId=446133

Act today: Tell your lawmakers they must support Parkinson's research

Over the last three days, hundreds of Parkinson's community members have been in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the needs of people with PD and their loved ones. Although a snowstorm has closed Congress' doors and shut down the streets of Washington, these Parkinson's advocates aren't letting that stop them from making their voices heard.

Support Group News

http://www.parkinsonshawaii.org/support-groups-and-classes

  • Oahu ~ Honolulu Area Support Group ~ First Thursday of each month, 1:30-3PM.

Next meeting will be Thursday, April 5.  The group is meeting at Central Union Church (1660 South Beretania, Women's Building). Guest at the April meeting will be Marie Kouthoofd PsyD she's a psychologist visiting from upstate New York. She is blind and she's going to speak on coping skills.

 

  • Oahu ~ Hawaii Kai Support Group ~ Second Saturday of month, April 14, 10-11:30 AM, Hawaii Kai Retirement Community 428 Kawaihae St., Hawaii Kai, HI 96825.

 

  • Oahu ~ Hawaii Kai Caregiver Support Group  Second Saturday of month, April 14, 10:30-11:30AM, Hawaii Kai Retirement Community 428 Kawaihae St., Hawaii Kai, HI 96825. 

 

  • Oahu ~ Windward Support Group ~ Fourth Tuesday of month, 3-4:30 PM. Castle Hospital Wellness Center, Kailua. Next meeting will be Tuesday, March 27. We have a guest speaker, therapist and master Yoga trainer Lindsey Sutton, PhD. As part of her community outreach efforts, she is developing a Yoga program to benefit PD patients. She will demonstrate exercises and gather suggestions from our members about including Yoga in our PD fitness program.

 

  • Oahu ~ North Shore Support Group ~ First Saturday of month, 10AM at United Church of Christ in Waialua (right next to the high school).  Next meeting April 7.  

 

  • Oahu ~ Young Onset/Movers and Shakers ~ First Saturday of month, 10-11:30 AM Regency Park Condos Recreation Center (access via Chaminade University campus).  Next meeting April 7. 

 

  • Big Island, Waimea Support Group ~ Second Wednesday of the month, from 1-2:30 PM at Tutu’s House in Waimea.  Next meeting will be April 11.  

 

  • Big Island, Hilo Support Group ~ Last Friday of every month, 2-4 PM.  Meets at Office of Aging, Hilo: 1055 Kinoole St #101.  Next meeting March 30.

March Hawaii Island Newsletter can be found here.  You can sign up to receive this newsletter via email by filling out a quick form here.

 

  • Kauai Support Group ~ Last Tuesday of every month, 5-6:30PM. Meets at Regency @ Puakea, 2130 Kaneka St, Lihue, HI 96766.  This month meeting will be March 27.  Nordic Walk Exursions held by Nordic Walk Hawaii: nordicwalkhawaii.weebly.com.  Walks usually are held Wednesdays 8:30-10:30 AM

 

  • Kauai North Support Group ~ Meeting time 5:00 PM. In the meeting room at the Princeville Community Center, 4334 Emmalani Dr, Princeville, HI 96722. Meeting dates are as follows: March 29, April 18 and May 24. A big Mahalo to Skip and Donna Rush for stepping up and making this group happen.  Also, Thank you to Jim White for helping get this started!

 

  • Maui Support Group ~ This group is on hold until further notice.

 

Other items of interest~


March 21 is Parkinson's Advocacy Day

MJFF shared the following: As hundreds of Parkinson's advocates head to Washington, D.C. early next week for the 2018 Parkinson's Policy Forum, your voice is needed to amplify their impact on Capitol Hill. There are several ways to easily get involved from your home.

TAKE ACTION: On the final day of the Forum, attendees will head to Capitol Hill to advocate for the needs of the Parkinson's community. Raise your voice alongside them by reaching out to your lawmakers on this day.  As an advocate, your voice is powerful. Join us in speaking up for our community on Parkinson's Advocacy Day. http://advocate.michaeljfox.org/mjff/app/write-a-letter?1&engagementId=446133

AARP's Upcoming Events

Caregiver Conference: Featuring three topics: What caregivers want and how to help them get it; Challenging behaviors in dementia care, Recognizing unmet needs; The case for caring for yourself-The medical consequences of caregiver stress. Saturday, March 24, from 8AM-Noon at the Honolulu Japanese Cultural Center.  To register call 1-877-926-8300 or online at https://aarp.event.com/care3-24  (scroll down to see flyer below)

 

Amber Momblow

Program Manager

Hawai'i Parkinson Association

info@parkinsonshawaii.org

info@parkinsonshawaii.org
808-219-8874

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