APRIL IS PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH

Together, we can ensure no one in Southwest Florida faces Parkinson’s alone.

​Every year, 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Right here in Southwest Florida, there are 7,000 people diagnosed with PD, and that number continues to increase. As members and friends of the PASWFL, you know how important the impact of our programs is for those touched by PD. That's why we hope you will join us and spread awareness of the PASWFL so that no one in SWFL needs to face a PD diagnosis alone. We are #Stronger Together

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 How Members can help...# Stronger Together

HOW YOU CAN HELP SPREAD AWARENESS:​

• Share your story with us about how PASWFL programs help you live well with PD. Your story and recommendation may inspire someone to seek support. Send us an email with your story.
• Follow us on Facebook (Click Here) and share our posts to reach more people in SWFL.
• Add a Live Well with PD frame to your Facebook photo: Click here.
• Has the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida impacted your life? Review us on Facebook or on Google. ​

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HOW YOU CAN ENGAGE AND BENEFIT AS A PASWFL MEMBER THIS MONTH

• Try a new in-person or Zoom movement class.
• Join a support group to connect with others.
• Attend an educational PD Talk or our Annual Education Symposium on April 24.
• Participate in speech, wellness, or caregiver classes.​
• Visit our "Members Only Page" for a full calendar of events and programs.
• New Members join us for our April 11th New Member Orientation.  Register by email: 
• swatts@parkinsonassociationswfl.org

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HOW CARE PARTNERS CAN FIND SUPPORT:
The PASWFL provides support and education for Care Partners of loved ones with PD. 

• Join an upcoming Powerful Tools for Caregivers class.​ ​Click here for more information.
• Join a weekly support group. Groups are offered both virtually through Zoom and in person for members of the PASWFL. Becoming a member and member programs are always free to members.

Click to complete a membership application

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WHY SPREADING AWARENESS MATTERS:
Awareness leads to earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved quality of life. It also fuels research advancements, builds supportive communities, and breaks down misconceptions about PD.

The Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida (PASWFL) provides exercise, education, and support to help individuals live well with PD—and we need your help spreading the word! 

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MAKE A GIFT TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION

• Make a gift to support our programs and classes that are provided free to members.
• Click here to make a gift  

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We're Here to Support you in Living Well with PD

If  You found this page, you or someone you love may have recently received a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Because there is no definitive test for PD, your diagnosis was probably made by either your general practitioner or a neurologist. You may have had unusual or worsening symptoms and suspected your symptoms were a sign of PD, but receiving an actual diagnosis can still feel devastating and leave you wondering what to do next.

Take the first step to Living Well with PD

1. Take the first steps by signing up — through the form below — to receive information on our programs for those with PD and their care partners.
2. Click here to complete a free membership application and begin receiving all the benefits of connecting with our organization. There is never a cost to join.
3. ​Scroll down ▼ to learn more about the 5 ways we can help you live well with PD.

How can we help?

We know you have a lot of questions and we are here to help answer them. Having those questions answered can be a huge relief and make your next steps to living well with PD that much easier. We are here as a resource to connect you to neurologists in southwest Florida and movement disorder specialists in the state of Florida. 

Each week we provide our members with a variety of classes and educational programs to help them live well with PD.

5 Ways we help members live well with PD each week is through:

1.  12 movement classes
2.  8 support groups
3.  5 speech classes
4.  3 social wellness classes
5.  A variety of educational talks from leading Parkinson researchers and medical experts.

• Click here for a  Sample Calendar of Activities for a typical week of programs offered by the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida

There is no charge to participate or to become a member.

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Resources

Click Here for a list of resources including Movement Disorder specialists and Neurologists.
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Video Recording of PD Talks

Click below to visit our resource page that offers video recordings of our PD Talks by leading experts in the field of PD research, and available treatments. From "PD 101" for the newly diagnosed, to talks on speech therapy, planning, mobility, and PD related issues, you are certain to find supportive information in these recordings.
CLICK HERE 

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Immerse yourself with information about PD

Recomended Reading: Living with Parkinson's Disease - A Complete Guide for Patients and Caregivers

​Internationally renowned as both a neurologist and a leading researcher, Dr. Okun has been referred to as "the voice" of these patients and a world authority on Parkinson's disease. His positive and optimistic approach has helped countless people manage their symptoms and achieve happiness despite them.

Reach out for support

Call us 239-417-3465

The first step to living well with PD is reaching out for support.  The Parkinson's Association of SWFL is here to help you navigate through the uncertainty and connect you with the information and resources you will need to help you live well with PD.
Please reach out to us by calling our office at 239-417-3465 to schedule a meeting with a member of our team who could assist you. There is no charge for our services and we have helped thousands of people who were in the same position you find yourself in today.

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Please don't wait to seek support

It is not unusual for someone who is diagnosed with PD to wait until there is a crisis to reach out to us for support. Studies show that early interventions prolong your ability to stay active and delay the onset of some progressive symptoms. Please call us today so we can help you start your path to living well with PD.

Our staff can help you:

• Find answers to your questions.
• Learn about our PD movement, speech and wellness classes available to you and your care partner.
• Identify support for you during a crisis.
• Connect you with opportunities to meet others with PD for inspiration and support.
• Keep you up to date with information on best practices, new studies and treatments.