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Official newsletter of Parkinson’s Waikato

Newsletter 236 February 2017

Round the Bridges

Thousands walked, jogged, or pushed buggies in the iconic Hamilton Round the Bridges (RTB) event on

Sunday, 13 November 2016. RTB is one of New Zealand’s oldest annually contested events. Established

in 1945, RTB started out as a road race designed to showcase some of New Zealand’s top athletes,

including Parkinson’s New Zealand Ambassador Peter Snell. Pictured above are Parkinson’s Waikato

team members including Parkinson’s Community Educator Janine Mair and Acting Committee Chair

Peter Theobald crossing the finish line in the 2016 RTB event. For more about the 2016 RTB event

please see page 2 of this newsletter.

The Parkinson’s Waikato team crosses the finish line Janine Mair and Peter Theobald

The subscription and donations we receive from members help us continue to provide the best

possible service to you and your family and carers. Your feedback is also important. Please take the

time to let us know your views by filling in the enclosed survey and returning it to us with your

membership renewal by 31 March 2017.

Membership Renewals and Survey

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The popular Round the Bridges (RTB) event has

grown from strength to strength. RTB offers a fun

day out for the family and community and is a

fantastic way to “get going” for a great cause.

Here fundraiser and Waikato member

Dr Peter Heron talks about how he was inspired

to start running again in Round the Bridges to

“get going” for Parkinson’s Waikato:

“I had always been a keen runner but it was

around the beginning of 2016 as a result of my

advancing Parkinson’s, I had given it away.

However then I saw an opportunity to give

something back to Parkinson’s Waikato. In

November 2016 I ran 6km Round the

Bridges to raise funds for Parkinson’s

Waikato. Parkinson’s New Zealand’s

National Office supported me and I created a Givealittle page which raised over $5,000 and hopefully

raised awareness of Parkinson’s.

“To run with me I roped in my wife and three sons, all in their 20s, one of who we flew up from

Wellington for the day which made it a special occasion for us. Three other doctors with whom I had

worked before I retired and one of our boy’s girlfriends joined us.

“We ran together as a group and finished in 38 minutes and 45 seconds.”

For more information about how you can Get Going for Parkinson’s please call 0800 473 4636 or

email getgoing@parkinsons.org.nz.

Get Going Round the Bridges

Parkinson’s Waikato member Peter Heron with family and friends

The Parkinson’s Pathway Project is consulting with divisions and branches around New Zealand. This is

our chance to discuss options for the future of our organisation and provide feedback. Our thanks to

everyone who contributed. A new paper will be put out in April.

Pathway Project

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Greetings everyone

The Parkinson’s Waikato Christmas function on 8 December 2016 was a success. It was well attended

with lots of laughter and chatter. Entertainment was provided by our own fabulous choir with Robyn

Matthews at the helm. Wilma Glynn provided us with a big surprise when she presented her son-in-law

Donald who performed a marvellous miming clown act. Donald is very talented and he delighted us

with his miming skills. Thank you Donald! Donald also won the Christmas raffle—it was well deserved

for a fine performance. The tables groaned under the weight of the delightful food that everyone

brought along to share and we had a great feast after the entertainment. We would like to thank

everyone who came along and made the day a success.

Janine recently caught up with some inspirational UPBEAT members, Chris and Ruth Heppenstall. In the

past year Chris and a fellow gardener, Michael, have dedicated many voluntary hours to transform a

bare section into an incredible organic community garden in Otorohanga. Spanning 100m in length and

15m wide, this community garden plot is thriving and is highly productive. We did a garden inspection

and found rows of potatoes, kumara, pumpkin, zucchini, sweetcorn, tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower,

capsicums, celery, beetroot, lettuce, silver beet, spring onions and berries. As you can appreciate

maintaining this incredible garden involves working every day—no Sunday rest for these awesome

gardeners! If you live in the Otorohanga area, pop down and volunteer. An extra pair of hands would be

appreciated. Plans are in place to build a shade house and a tool shed on the remaining small space.

We would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year and we look forward to

working alongside you in 2017.

Take care and keep well

Janine and Anne

A Word From Our Community Educators

Wilma Glynn with her son-in-law Donald Volunteer Chris Heppenstall

at the Otorohanga Community garden

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We are sad to report that Alain Harper has stepped down as Chair of the Committee. Alain has been

on the Committee since 2010, and he has served as Chair for the last four years. Alain has a good

understanding of governance and constitutional matters and we will be grateful for his continued help

on the committee. We regret that Kelvin Baxter has resigned from the Committee. Kelvin has been on

the Committee since 2010 and has been a valuable asset with fundraising activities, particularly helping

to secure sponsors for the Golf Tournament. We thank Alain and Kelvin for their commitment. Peter

Theobald will take over as Acting Chair until the next Annual Branch Meeting.

The Committee is a small group and we meet about four times a year. Our job is to support the work of

our Community Educators and raise funds during Parkinson’s Awareness Week and throughout the

year. We welcome your involvement.

You are welcome to join the Committee and be involved in the decisions we make (and our occasional

social activities). This is not onerous as responsibilities are light! There is also the possibility of

attending the Parkinson’s New Zealand AGM as the Parkinson’s Waikato delegate.

You can also volunteer to help with a fundraising activity. Our goal is to develop a list of people who

are willing to be asked to help with fundraising activities. This will not commit you to any activities, but

it would be great to know in advance who might be interested.

Please contact your Community Educator or Peter Theobald if you would like to be involved.

Kind regards

Peter Theobald, Waikato Branch Acting Committee Chair

Committee News

It is time to place your orders for tulip bulbs.

Parkinson’s Waikato will be running a tulip bulb fundraiser

again this year. Tulips will repeat their flowering next year,

and they make fabulous gifts!

Please contact Janine or Anne for an order form. We may be

able to deliver tulip bulbs to support groups for you.

Your orders can also be packaged and posted.

Tulip Time

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Parkinson’s New Zealand You Tube channel

Be sure to have a look at our Parkinson’s New Zealand You Tube channel. Listen and

learn about a wide variety of topics including Dance For Parkinson’s, Rock Steady

Boxing and “Parkinsons and Plumbing”. Don’t miss our recent interviews from the

World Parkinson Congress. The presentations range from several minutes to an hour

in length.

Free e-book

Parkinson’s Creative Collective has a free e-book, The NeuroWriters’

Guide to the Peripatetic Pursuit of Parkinson Disease, which is an

update of the 2013 edition. This book is an anthology of the

experiences of many authors and is not intended to provide medical

advice. To get your copy go to www.parkinsonscreativecollective.org

and click on “How to get the book” in the menu bar. Click on

“Download the e-book” in the pull-down menu and click the

download button. You can then open and save the file.

World Parkinson’s Day is 11 April 2017. We are thrilled to announce

the launch of a campaign we helped develop with Parkinson’s UK

and the European Parkinson’s Disease Association:

#UniteForParkinsons.

We need your help to raise the same awareness message about

Parkinson’s all around the world on the same day. All you have to do

to join the campaign is use the hashtag #UniteForParkinsons on

World Parkinson’s Day, 11 April. We want you to share your

thoughts and experiences, as well as your hopes and plans for

the future.

Then join us at the quaint and comfy Tivoli Cinema in Cambridge on

Wednesday 12 April to view a film to celebrate World

Parkinson’s Day. Come enjoy each others’ company and connect to

our Parkinson’s community. Film and viewing time to be announced.

#UniteForParkinsons on World Parkinson’s Day

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Punching bag and gloves for sale

A punching bag and gloves are for sale. Both items are in good order. The reason for selling is limited

space in the garage! $50 donation to Parkinson’s. Contact Peter Theobald on 07 854 6996.

We are delighted to inform you Counterpunch Boxing is now available in Hamilton and Cambridge.

Counterpunch Parkinson’s is a New Zealand exercise programme designed for people with Parkinson’s

that features non-contact boxing. This form of exercise is growing in popularity. Classes aim to improve

or maintain flexibility, balance, posture, deep breathing, voice, range of motion and fine and gross

motor skills. Visit Parkinson’s New Zealand You Tube for interviews and testimonials.

WHEN AND WHERE:

Studio Community Health and Fitness Centre

12 Scott Street, Leamington

Fridays 10:00am

Contact Julie Mazur on 027 296 6003

Ringside Gym

16 Bandon Street, Frankton

Fridays 10:30am

Contact Susie Nykio on 021 0220 6251

Counterpunch Boxing

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Te Kauwhata Singing Group. Held every Thursday at 10am. This group is for anyone with a neurological

condition. Gold coin entry to cover a shared morning tea. For further information please call Pat on

07 826 4115.

Choral Therapy Group. Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 10am - 12pm. It is held at St

John’s Church on the corner of Grey and Wellington Street in Hamilton East. Plenty of easy parking.

Gold coin to cover costs. For further information give Janine or Anne a call.

Singing groups

Yoga can be a beneficial complementary therapy for people with Parkinson’s.

Learning to control one’s breath, practising movements to keep the body supple

and calming the mind through relaxation can all contribute to a healthier,

happier lifestyle.

Join us for a free yoga class every Thursday at 10:30am at the Parkinson’s

Waikato office, 11 Somerset Street, Frankton. The classes are designed for

people with Parkinson’s and led by yoga instructor James Fowlie. For more

information call Anne on 027 2444 123.

For more information on complementary therapies refer to the Parkinson’s New

Zealand factsheet on www.parkinsons.org.nz

Yoga class every Thursday

World Parkinson’s Day Auckland seminar

World Parkinson’s Day on 11 April commemorates the birthday of James Parkinson and aims to raise

the public’s awareness of Parkinson’s.

For World Parkinson’s Day our Auckland branch will run a free public seminar on Tuesday, 11 April

2017, 1:00pm at Greenlane Christian Centre, 17 Marewa Road, Greenlane. While the seminar is being

held in Auckland, Waikato members are invited to attend.

A gold coin donation is requested and tea and biscuits will be provided. No RSVP is required. For more

information, contact Bev Rakich on 09 278 6918 or email auckland@parkinsons.org.nz.

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Parkinson’s Waikato A branch of The Parkinsonism Society

of New Zealand Inc.

11 Somerset Street, Frankton Hamilton, 3204 Please send general communication and payments to: Parkinson’s Waikato PO Box 1235 Waikato Mail Centre Hamilton 3240 Phone: (07) 839 9038 Community Educators Anne Hall Waikato North: North Hamilton, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Coromandel, Thames, Waihi, Raglan, Whitianga , Whangamata , Taiura & Te Kauwhata Tel: 027 244 4123 educator.waikatonorth@ parkinsons.org.nz Janine Mair Waikato South: South Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Aroha, Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, Paeroa, Putaruru, Tokoroa, Otorohanga, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui Tel: 027 255 5123 educator.waikatosouth@ parkinsons.org.nz Waikato Branch Volunteer Committee Peter Theobald (Acting Chair) Simon Barbour Alain Harper Jeane Hardwick Dilys Parker

Group Meetings

Cambridge Support Group. This group meets on the 1st Monday of each month

from 10am-12pm. We meet at the Cambridge Baptist Church, 58 Queen Street.

Contact Janine for details.

Women’s Carers Group (Cambridge). The group meets on the 3rd Monday of each

month from 1030am-12pm. Join this welcoming and supportive group at Onyx

café, 70 Alpha St, Cambridge. Contact Janine for details.

Matamata Support Group. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month.

10:30am to 11:30am for a cuppa. New members please contact Janine.

Putaruru Support Group. This group meets six weekly on a Thursday from 1pm to

3pm at the Overdale Community Centre on Overdale St. Contact Janine for details.

Cambridge Exercise Group. The group meets weekly and the activities are adapted

to suit people with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. It is held at the

Aspire Fitness Centre, Scott St, Leamington. The willing trainers are on hand to

advise and assist you where necessary. Contact Dick Wheatley for details on 07

823 1553.

Matamata Exercise Class. Held at the Pohlen Hospital Campus, 56 Rawhiti Avenue.

Initial introduction to the outdoor equipment, its use and suitability is by Sports

Coordinator, Tui Priest. Thereafter, you can attend in your own time. Cost is a

donation. To find out more please call Tui Priest c/- Pohlen Hospital Reception on

07 881 9100 ext 2.

UPBEAT. We generally meet each month. The venue and time changes monthly.

Please contact Janine on 027 2555 123 or Anne on 027 2444 123 for further

information.

Thames Support Group meets at the Age Concern rooms, 609 Mackay Street,

Thames. For information on dates and times, please contact Anne on 027 2444

123.

Hamilton Carers Group. Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month

at 10am. If you would like to join us please contact Anne on 027 2444 123.

Hamilton Support Group. Our meetings are held on the third Thursday of the

month at 10:30am. We meet at St Francis Church, 92 Mansell Avenue, Hillcrest,

Hamilton.

Whitianga Support Group. Meets six weekly at the St Andrew’s By The Sea. At

11.30 am – please bring a plate for a shared lunch. For further information please

contact Raewyn Thorburn on 07 8662609.

Whangamata Support group. Meets on the first Friday of the month at The RSA at

11.30am. For further information contact Nita Petersen on 07 8658197.

Hamilton Gym. Meets every Monday and Wednesday at the Anytime Gym in

Tristram Street from 10.30-11.30. There is a cost of $2 per session. If you would

like to join the gym please contact Janine on 027 2555 123 or Anne 027 2444 123

for further information and to make an appointment to meet with the personal

trainer Margaret Thompson

See page 7 for information about singing groups.