Meetings...
October meeting
Attorney Whitney M. Lewendon, a partner in Coan, Lewendon, Gulliver and Miltenberger LLC of New Haven will address CPWG. His presentation, Planning Ahead: Legal Issues When Faced With Chronic Illness, will cover the latest information relative to estate planning, distribution of wealth, power of attorney, power of attorney for medical decisions, living will, long-term care considerations and Title 19 process. There will be time for Q&As.
Location: Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT.
Date, Time: Saturday, October 17, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am.
November meeting
Author Janis Abrahms Spring, will discuss her book: Living with Pop: Lessons in Caring for an Aging Parent.
One way or another each of us will confront these issues either as a PWP or Caregiver. Come and learn now how to prepare, now.
Meeting information
Meetings are typically held on the third Saturday of each month, except the summer months. Approximately half of the meetings are held at Middlesex Hospital. The rest of the meetings ("Meetings on the Move") are held on an ad hoc basis somewhere else in Connecticut and are meant to introduce PWP and others from nearby to our group and its mission. In the past we have met in New London, Manchester, Southbury, Farmington, among others. As a member (which means you are on our mailing list) you will receive notification of all meetings by mail.
Directions to Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT
From Hartford: Take Rt. 91 South to Rt. 9 South to Exit 15 (Washington Street). Go up Washington to Main Street intersection. Turn left onto Main. Go down Main Street to Crescent. Turn right onto Crescent.
From Old Saybrook: Take Rt. 9 North to Exit 15 (Washington Street, left exit). Continue as above.
From Norwich: Take Rt. 2 North to Rt. 66 toward Middletown. Cross Portland Bridge and go down Main Street to Crescent Street. Turn right.
From Meriden: Take Rt. 691 East to Rt. 66 to Main Street, Middletown. Turn right, go down Main Street to Crescent Street. Turn right.
Dance & PD
There is a strange revolution quietly taking place in the Parkinson community: dance. It would seem two things could not be farther apart than PD and interpretive dance. However, the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG), a world renowned dance troupe, has shown that the opposite is true - people with PD greatly benefit by pursuing dance and have a wonderful time to boot.Their classes at their head office in Brooklyn, NY are jam-packed every week. They have been featured on National Public Broadcasting; a video of what is going on was presented on Boston TV, and the fun is contagious. We know of groups in Illinois and Massachusetts that have started and the word is that this is just the beginning. To see videos of actual classes, go to the MMDG website.
The CPWG is pleased to announce that the two dance classes that it sponsors in Middletown and New London will continue as they have been at least through the summer of 2010 . By that time it is hoped that we will have found either a permanent source of funding, or other sponsors.
Dance & PD at MiddletownPreregistration is not required; drop in at any time. A family member or caregiver is encouraged to join us too. Just bring your two left feet and a willingness to try something new. Wednesdays 1:30 to 2:45 PM. As always, with CPWG, there is no tuition or other cost.
Website: http://cpwg.org
Dance Instructor : Katie Tranzillo 203-915-9371
katiet@joyfuldancing.com
www.joyfuldancing.com
Location: Vinnie's Jump and Jive
424 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-6971, ext 3777
www.vinniesjumpandjive.com
Dance & PD at Conn College
We are pleased and grateful to the College and Dance Department for their wonderful attitude and graciousness in letting us use the superb facilities they have made available. We knew they were smart - now we must add enlightened.
Now for some details:
The classes are not ballroom dancing, but individual, often interpretive or improvised dance. You do not need a partner; however, please invite a partner if you can. There will be a time for an instructor led warm-up as well. The dance class will meet every week on Wednesdays, 10:30-11:45, Myers Studio (air-conditioned) 3rd floor student center.There is parking in front of the center and an elevator to the third floor where the class meets,
There is no charge for people with PD and their partners. All levels are welcome - chairs are provided for all
For persons completely mobile to those in wheel chairs.
The instructor is Rachel Balaban, a professional dance teacher
The music will be taken from several genres, from jazz to classical to broadway to ethnic.
Come join us for dance, community and fun. Need more information? Call 860.572.9965.
Directions: Enter Connecticut College at the main entrance on route 32. At the guard house at the top turn right, then left a few hundred feet on, then immediate right. Just past the library on the left is the student center. Park, take the elevator on the first floor to the third floor. The Myers studio is on your left.
Monthly Breakfasts
Monthly Breakfasts in Middletown at the Athenian Diner:
Contact Tom Sullivan 860-343-8278.
About CPWG
What is CPWG? It is a GROUP of people, mostly from CONNECTICUT, who have Parkinson’s disease (PD) or who have a reason to be interested in PD, who gather to share ideas, concerns and experiences and to WORK toward goals best undertaken by people with PD (PWP) and their loved ones and friends.
What does CPWG do? It provides: a forum for those who want to take an active role in dealing with the challenges facing PWP. A key emphasis is informing the entire PD community, and those who interact with PWP, about all aspects of PD; an active support group for these same people, who often have concerns and problems of a different nature than those older or less active. Some examples: concerns associated with raising a family, decisions about their workplace, and other problems of younger and younger feeling PWP. Many of our members also belong to a local more traditional support group. We feel this strengthens both groups.
How does this forum work? CPWG publishes a newsletter several times a year and holds regular meetings in Middletown, CT. Both provide a place to gather with others who share this disease, in person or in print.
How is the newsletter a forum? Many articles in the newsletter are written by CPWG members; several have been written by Connecticut health care professionals. There are interviews, book reviews, personal stories, essays, position papers, humor and longer articles and notes on significant research.
How are the meetings a forum? Most importantly, the meetings are a place to share ideas, concerns and experiences in person. There is often a focus with an invited speaker; there are break-out sessions for the carepartners; there are informal group discussions which touch on every aspect of living with PD including alternative treatments, new drugs, coping, legal matters, compulsive behaviors, exercise, clinical trials, interacting with doctors, care giving, and much more.
How else does CPWG provide a support network? There is a lively exchange by email and telephone between members, and between members and those in the community who have issues of concern relating to PD. CPWG also organizes special educational events, and plans some ‚”just for fun‚” social functions.
Is there a governing body? Yes, or rather pretty close to one. The Board of Trustees oversees policy and makes suggestions for future initiatives that it deems worthwhile. However, it is always the membership that either gets it done, or lets it go. The by-laws specify a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. We have these people but largely ignore any titles in favor of action.
How does CPWG support its projects? We accept donations (tax write-off for the donor) at any time and actively solicit contributions once a year. We are frequent recipients of awards from other PD non-profit groups and pharmaceutical companies. We accept no donations that have strings attached. We have also been fortunate to receive some larger donations from family groups who specify a contribution to the CPWG in lieu of a holiday gift or birthday/anniversary present. The treasurer is in charge of this activity.
How do I participate? Come to the bi-monthly meetings and get involved in those projects that you feel are personally important.