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RJ Hayden replied to the topic Have you taken virtual exercise classes? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 6 days, 12 hours ago
I live in a very remote area of New Mexico where just getting to a physical therapist is a challenge. I purchased an exercise book/video combination called “Delay the Disease: Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease” which has been an excellent addition to formal PT sessions.
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RJ Hayden replied to the topic What do you do to prevent yourself from falling? in the forum Living With Parkinson's Disease 1 month, 3 weeks ago
A couple of falls which screwed up my left knee brought me to the realization that it is almost a function of ‘mind over matter’ . . . meaning that I constantly have to think about what I do, where I go and how I step. Movement is no longer an unconscious effort which can be very frustrating. I have found that initiating the step was the most c…[Read more]
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RJ Hayden replied to the topic Do you find canes or walkers to be helpful? in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 2 months ago
I have used both a cane and hiking sticks . . . they may not be 100%, but they have helped me to keep my balance and prevent a fall.
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RJ Hayden replied to the topic Were you an athlete before diagnosis? in the forum Parkinson's Disease and exercise 2 months, 3 weeks ago
I was very athletic during my college years . . . playing both baseball and ice hockey. As I got older I played in a very competitive softball league and then suddenly, I found that I couldn’t throw a ball with any kind of ‘mustard’. Eventually the distance of each throw also became shorter, less accurate and I noticed a stiffness in my throwing…[Read more]
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RJ Hayden and
Mary Beth Skylis are now friends 3 months ago
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RJ Hayden changed their profile picture 3 months, 1 week ago
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RJ Hayden changed their profile picture 3 months, 1 week ago
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RJ Hayden replied to the topic Where in the world are you? in the forum Diagnosis Information and General Questions 3 months, 1 week ago
Originally from NYC (Staten Island), we currently live in northern New Mexico.
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RJ Hayden posted a new activity comment 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Yes . . . pivoting can absolutely be an adventure. I haven’t taken notice my posture when i am making a tight turn but I will now. Pivoting on carpeted areas is specially challenging. Typically I just stop, put some thought into what I need t do and go (thinking ready, set, go). Once I get moving, like your dad, I am fine.
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RJ Hayden replied to the topic Do you struggle with freezing episodes? in the forum Parkinson's Disease Symptoms 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Yes – freezing of gait is my greatest challenge. Like Robert, I have to put a conscious effort in initiating the walking process . . . it is no longer automatic. As Caroline said, turns and narrow passage ways can absolutely be an adventure. Once I get started I’m generally ok as long as there are no sharp turns in my path. The carpet in my…[Read more]
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RJ, I think my Dad struggles with the same thing. But I’ve noticed that he seems to freeze the most when he has to tackle complicated movements like pivoting. Dad tells me that straightening his posture helps. And once he gets started, he’s fine. Do you find that this type of strategy helps for you too?
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RJ Hayden became a registered member 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Yes . . . pivoting can absolutely be an adventure. I haven’t taken notice my posture when i am making a tight turn but I will now. Pivoting on carpeted areas is specially challenging. Typically I just stop, put some thought into what I need t do and go (thinking ready, set, go). Once I get moving, like your dad, I am fine.
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Thanks for the feedback, RJ. I’ve thought about helping him re-arrange some of the furniture in our house to simplify movements. And to make sure that he doesn’t have to deal with too many obstacles.
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