OUR MISSION & VISION
Power Over Parkinson’s is dedicated to enhance the lives of those in our community affected by the disease. We raise funds to provide availability and frequent access to exercise programs and resources.
Power Over Parkinson's was formed in 2017 with the purpose of raising funds to enhance the lives of those in our community affected by the disease and support availability, frequency and access to Parkinson's specific exercise through an ongoing wellness program.
Over a million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease (PD) with over 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. This is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease with Parkinson’s as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder following Alzheimer’s. While the actual number of individuals in Monterey County diagnosed with PD is difficult to determine, based on the County’s population statistics, the estimated number of patients diagnosed is well over 1,500.
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is life changing but there is much that can be done in terms of incorporating daily exercise and disease-specific neuroplasticity-principled programs that improve symptoms, restore function and increase quality of life. Exercise benefits a Parkinson’s patient with symptom management. Research has proven that specific programs can improve gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, grip strength and motor coordination.
After an extensive assessment of resources in the current local landscape for those diagnosed with PD, it became clearly evident that the Monterey Peninsula is lacking an environment that supports long-term, ongoing and frequent movement programs which evidence-based research has proven to slow disease progression. The inaccessibility of local programs forces those patients seeking to improve symptom management through targeted exercise programs to travel several hours each week outside of the local geographical area to attend classes. Those patients who do not have the time flexibility or economic resources to travel outside of the area have limited ability to access opportunities for symptom improvement through movement.
Over a million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease (PD) with over 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. This is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease with Parkinson’s as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder following Alzheimer’s. While the actual number of individuals in Monterey County diagnosed with PD is difficult to determine, based on the County’s population statistics, the estimated number of patients diagnosed is well over 1,500.
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is life changing but there is much that can be done in terms of incorporating daily exercise and disease-specific neuroplasticity-principled programs that improve symptoms, restore function and increase quality of life. Exercise benefits a Parkinson’s patient with symptom management. Research has proven that specific programs can improve gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, grip strength and motor coordination.
After an extensive assessment of resources in the current local landscape for those diagnosed with PD, it became clearly evident that the Monterey Peninsula is lacking an environment that supports long-term, ongoing and frequent movement programs which evidence-based research has proven to slow disease progression. The inaccessibility of local programs forces those patients seeking to improve symptom management through targeted exercise programs to travel several hours each week outside of the local geographical area to attend classes. Those patients who do not have the time flexibility or economic resources to travel outside of the area have limited ability to access opportunities for symptom improvement through movement.
HOW WE STARTED POWER OVER PARKINSON'S
In response to this local need, Power Over Parkinson’s was formed in 2017 with the purpose of raising funds to enhance the lives of those in our community affected by the disease and support availability, frequency and access to Parkinson’s specific exercise through an ongoing wellness program.
In an effort to comprehensively understand wellness strategies, the complexity of the disease and needs of those struggling with PD, time was devoted toward observing successful exercise programs offered outside the local area, researching which programs were scientifically proven most beneficial and determining the most accessibly convenient location to conduct patient classes. Direct dialogue with Parkinson’s support group attendees and others diagnosed with the disease along with ongoing discussions including movement disorder medical and exercise science professionals guided the decision-making process and led us to initiating a wellness exercise program that includes the three modalities outlined in the funding request.
In an effort to comprehensively understand wellness strategies, the complexity of the disease and needs of those struggling with PD, time was devoted toward observing successful exercise programs offered outside the local area, researching which programs were scientifically proven most beneficial and determining the most accessibly convenient location to conduct patient classes. Direct dialogue with Parkinson’s support group attendees and others diagnosed with the disease along with ongoing discussions including movement disorder medical and exercise science professionals guided the decision-making process and led us to initiating a wellness exercise program that includes the three modalities outlined in the funding request.
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