TO DR.MELANIE BRANDABUR PARKINSON S WOMEN SUPPORT Moral support Encouragement Camaraderie For Women who are Parkinson s Disease Patients or Caregivers
PARKINSON'S WOMEN SUPPORT Founding Members Darcy Blake, our communicator Cindy DeLuz, our artist Lynn Fielder, our trailblazer having had PD ithe longest Susan Foster, our events planner and coordinator Martha Gardner, our support group specialist Linda Howells, our fashion stylist Resa King, our treatment information specialist Marlene McNew, our athlete Joanne Nobrega, our exercise cheerleader Sondra Erickson, our resident caregiver whose dedication is appreciated THE PARKINSON S WOMEN SUPPORT mission is to offer moral support, encouragement and camaraderie for women who are either Parkinson s Disease patients or caregivers. In 2008, a group of newly diagnosed and young-onset female Parkinson s Disease patients in California were introduced to each other by Dr. Melanie Brandabur at the Parkinson s Institute. She suggested that with our positive desire to help and inspire others we might collectively benefit from each other s company and find a way to reach out to others. After meeting once a month socially for a couple of years, we decided to bring our good will to a larger audience on Facebook and a blog, www.parkinsonswomen.com. Today, our community is worldwide. i
A TRIBUTE TO DR. BRANDABUR Dr. B is truly one of the most brilliant healers on the planet. She is a rare physician who instinctively understands the importance of treating the whole person. Her empathetic nature and humanistic qualities give comfort and hope to her loyal patients. Her unique ability to truly educate patients while empowering them sets new standards in doctor/patient relationships. Adore her bedside manner... a lovely combination of compassion, hope, knowledge, and motivation. On top of everything else, she's a master med mixologist, a dedicated visionary, and last but not least...she's pretty as a picture! I feel utterly blessed and honored to call her my doc. CINDY DELUZ Illustrations by Cindy DeLuz ii
MORAL SUPPORT Melanie Brandabur s foresight and care for her patients by getting women together for the first gathering of young PD diagnosed, opened the door to friendships, shared information and a sisterhood that now reaches out to the world. SONDRA ERICKSON 1
AN INTERESTING TEXTURE In April 2011, at a Parkinson s Women Support monthly luncheon, Elaine Sulzberger described the square she submitted to the Global Parkinson s quilt project. I worked on this with five of my friends who either knit or crochet, said Elaine. We wanted it to be bright and have interesting texture. Eventually, 16 pieces formed the final panels for the Parkinson s quilt project. Dr. B said, It was lovely to see this beautiful piece, and several others from people I know, at the World Parkinson s Congress in Glasgow last fall. 2
ENCOURAGEMENT Observation from Afar I never personally met Dr. Brandabur but I did see a number of her patients. She worked in a hospital, which wasn't too far from where I work. From the indirect and limited exposure I could still tell she was an outstanding physician (based on how she was managing their care and how much her patients really liked her). A number of years later, I was watching a PD webinar and saw her speak and realized why her patients loved her so much! MIRIAM 'MIA' BOELEN PT 3
PARKINSON S WOMEN SUPPORT I att r i b u t e t h e f a c t t h at I a m a b le to l i v e m y l if e a s I d i d b e f o r e Par k i n s o n's l ar g e ly to t h e w i s d o m a n d c ar e o f D r. B r a n d a b u r. I a m a w ar e t h at t h i s i s a p r o g r e s s i v e c o n d i t i o n. I a m c o n f i d e n t t h at f a c i n g i t w i t h a d o c to r w h o t r u ly c ar e s m ak e s al l t h e d if f e r e n c e i n t h e w o r l d. T h a n k y o u D r. B. Fo n d ly, J O A N N E N O B R E GA 4
CAMARADERIE My meet up with this amazing group of women has helped, supported and inspired me. I thank Dr. B for Azilect and for turning me onto Dr. Ash at Kaiser SF. AIYANA Dr. Brandabur, I appreciate that you support complementary approaches such as exercise and diet in Parkinson's. I am especially grateful for the Women's Support Group which has provided a great feeling of normalcy for me as an active woman with Parkinson's. NANCY NEFF Dr. B is the most caring doctor I have ever been lucky enough to work with! MARLENE MCNEW 5
COMFORT Having a great circle of friends is so helpful for recovery. DARCY BLAKE http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=kcwctrkon6s 6
COMPASSION Thank you for being Mindful Providing Honest Assessments Demonstrating Genuine Respect and Care Encouraging Exercise Helping Resolve Difficult Issues... ELAINE 7
RESPECT 8
FUN 9
Our Past Outings Asian Art Museum A Qigong Lesson Cantor Art Museum Elizabeth Gamble House Michael J. Fox Research Roundtable PWS Holiday Bazaar Restaurants & walks galore plus more! 10
FRIENDSHIP 11
TELL IT LIKE IT IS Dr B. recognized the need for active, optimistic women with PD to connect with each other. In November of 2008, she sent out invitations to say she was "having a party for exceptional women who inspire and give hope to others". She and Teva Neuroscience hosted the initial party that allowed us to meet and plan to connect with each other. We started with eight of us who lived in the area and the contact list has now grown to nearly 60 women. Our monthly lunches provide an opportunity to share and learn from each other. We value the friendships we have made and the support we receive from each other - all thanks to Dr. B! She "tells it like it is". She is optimistic, but realistic about the effects of PD, both short term and long term. She pushes me to do things that are known to be beneficial - like exercise. She is up on the latest research, and translates complex scientific info into understandable concepts. SUSAN FOSTER 12
CONNECTION 13
A PARTNERSHIP One of the things I value most is Dr. Brandabur's clear, compassionate and reassuring partnership on this strange journey called Parkinson's. When my husband and I arrived to meet with her after my initial diagnosis, we were still shell shocked. The first thing she said after examining me? "Well, the bad news is, yes, you have Parkinson's. The good news, no one dies of Parkinson's disease." I instantly knew we were in the right place and I'd found someone to help me successfully navigate the future. Everyone's journey with PD is different and Dr. Brandabur sees the individual and meets us where we are. Thanks so much Melanie! LAURA PIERCE 14
NEW EXPERIENCES 15
Thank you for your passion, humanity, and commitment as a guide on the path that has been chosen for us. Your impact surges beyond the walls of the Institute and the caring community you have created to the world at large. BARBARA ROSENTHAL Thank you Dr. B for initially inviting me to join the Women's Support Group - it has been wonderful getting to know such strong, independent women. LESLIE SHERMAN Thanks so much for your support, kindness and concern for the princesses. With love, NANCY STOHN Thanks, Dr B, for bringing us ladies with parkinson's together - this is one fantastic support group! Sincerely, RESA 16
REACHING OUT TO YOU Parkinson s Women Support Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/parkinsons-women-support/121474951248509 Parkinson s Women Support Blog www.parkinsonswomen.com
2014 Parkinson s Women Support