Learning more about Parkinson's
- Details
- Published on Saturday, April 30, 2016
By Dianne Kowalchuk
Publicity
One of the goals of Women’s Institute (WI) is to provide education for its members. Rivers WI, like most branches, plans its programs a year in advance so members know what’s coming up and when. In November one of the many topics that were suggested was Parkinson’s. Pat Wood took on the task of finding a speaker; members welcomed Charlotte Potwondy, Westman co-ordinator for Parkinson’s Canada, to the April meeting.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic degenerative brain disorder that destroys dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. The loss of dopamine causes many difficulties, including rigidity and fatigue, depression and anxiety. There is no single cause for this disease, but researchers are starting to look at the environment as a major factor. The disease is not genetic. Members were surprised to learn that the disease likely starts 20 years before diagnosis. Early symptoms may be the loss of the sense of smell, constipation, sleep disorders and the voice becoming soft. The average age for diagnosis is 60. There is no cure, but medication can alleviate the symptoms. Because a number of WI members have or had family members who suffer from this disease, questions were many. Discussion was interesting and often personal. Charlotte also informed the membership about the 2016 Parkinson’s conference to be held in Brandon on May 14. The theme is Finding Our Way Through the Parkinson’s Puzzle; for more information go to www.parkinson.ca/manitoba.
Members enjoyed gathering for this meeting; only two members were absent. Pat Elliott was warmly welcomed as a guest. A report was heard about the regional convention that was recently held at Erickson. Yvonne Gustafson will attend the provincial convention at Clear Lake as the delegate from this local. Four other members plan to attend at least one day of the event.
Member Georgina Bollman gave a little history lesson. Moline WI (just north of Rivers) was founded in 1916 by a Mrs. Elliott. That local disbanded in 1970 and three of its members – Isabelle Lamb, June Bollman and Georgina – took out memberships with the Rivers branch. And we are certainly glad they did!
The next meeting of Rivers WI will be held at the home of Helen Stewart (140 Seventh Avenue) on Friday, May 13 at 1:30 p.m. Linda Earl from the southwest branch of the Manitoba Genealogy Society will attend to talk about the study of the family tree. This should be fun. For more information call Michelle McFadden at 204- 328-7441 or Josephine Hunt at 204-328-5367. Remember – the more, the merrier!
