Listen to an interview with David Leventhal, founder of Dance for PD

This interview presents evidence that Dance is extraordinarily beneficial for PD.

Listen to the interview

You are invited to dance with us.

Classes on Tuesday at 1:30

with Rachelle Smith-Stallman at CDPHP® Fitness Connect at the Ciccotti Center

30 Aviation Road, Colonie

518-867-8920.

$5.00 per class - first class free

In this class people with movement disorders and their care partners are empowered to explore movement and music in ways that are refreshing, enjoyable, stimulating and creative.

Partner not required. Walkers and wheelchairs welcome.

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Rachelle also leads a ZOOM Dance Beyond Parkinson's class on Thursdays at 1:30.

email Rachelle at rss@nycap.rr.com for the ZOOM link.

Type with Your Voice

I learned how to type in high school, but my counselor wouldn't let me take a typing class. He said, "That class is for students on a secretarial path. You're on a college path, so you won't need it."

I heard a rumor that I might have to type papers in college, so I got a "learn to type" book, borrowed a typewriter, and taught myself to type.

After spending 30+ years as an IT manager, typing hours per day, I got better at it. But about a year after my Parkinson's diagnosis, I started having trouble typing and using a mouse. Although I loved my job, difficulty typing weighed heavily on my decision to retire.

Now, after having Parkinson's for almost 12 years, I have taken up the hobby of developing and maintaining websites for organizations I believe in, such as https://www.cdparkinsons.org/

I don't have to work all day typing to maintain the sites, but here I am, still typing.

One day, I accidentally stumbled upon a feature on my smartphone that allows me to dictate text. For a while, I used my phone to make rough drafts of documents and then used my laptop computer to fix up the text.. I didn’t know that I could do voice to text directly on my laptop PC. But I've now found a setting on my laptop that lets me do the voice to text directly on the laptop.. I can type so much faster without worrying about tremors and the mouse.

Here are some links to help you use voice typing on your electronic device:

• How to use voice typing on Windows 10 and Windows 11: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-typing-to-talk-instead-of-type-on-your-pc-fec94565-c4bd-329d-e59a-af033fa5689f

• How to use dictation on Mac: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac

• How to dictate text on iPhone: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/dictate-text-iph2c0651d2/ios

• How to use voice typing on Android: https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/2781851?hl=en-GB&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

I hope this is helpful!

- Jud

Our First Ping Pong Parkinson's Went Well

I've been living with Parkinson's disease for 11 years, I am enjoying a few things that I'm getting better at. Playing ping pong is one of them.

Playing ping pong can be very beneficial for people with Parkinson's. We have started a ping pong group for people with Parkinson's at the Guilderland YMCA. We met for the first time on July 10th, and it went really well!

There were six people playing on two tables, and we all had a great time. We took turns playing and watching, and we all learned a lot from each other.

Ping pong is a great way to improve balance, eye-hand coordination, fine motor control, mental health, strength, and is a great form of physical activity, which is important for people with Parkinson's. It's also a lot of fun!

If you are interested in joining our ping pong group, please come and join us on Mondays at 10:00 AM in the multi-purpose room at the Guilderland YMCA. The cost is free for YMCA members and $5 per session for non-members.

No playing experience or equiptment is necessary, so come alone or with a friend. We'll all learn from each other!

For more information, please call Jud at 518-281-3466.

I hope to see you there!