Resources & Terms to Know
For Hiking Terms to know, click here.
For Parkinson’s Terms to know, they are coming soon.
Resources
Parkinson’s Foundation
An informational site explains the basics of Parkinson’s and offers tips for those living with the disease. The foundation also is a major supporter of research. Something I found that may be helpful is a list of local support groups and other resources — just type in your ZIP code.
Michael J. Fox Foundation
Possibly the most well-known face of Parkinson’s disease, Michael J. Fox created his foundation in 2000 and has raised more than $1 billion for research. While fund-raising and awareness are chief among its objectives, the foundation also has goals such as “building improved knowledge about the lived experience of Parkinson’s disease, finding an objective test for Parkinson’s, engaging patients in research and supporting the development of new treatments and a cure.”
The site also offers a tool kit to make it easy for anyone to raise funds. I used this to raise funds for Parkinson’s research when I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with family members in 2022.
PD Avengers
Based in Canada, PD Avengers is a global alliance to end Parkinson’s disease. It’s more than a name; it’s a movement, a commitment, and a promise. They hope to lead the way toward a Parkinson’s-free future through advocacy and education.
Pedaling 4 Parkinson’s
The people in this organization aim to inspire those living with Parkinson’s to continue doing what they can, with hope that a cure will someday be found. For those with Parkinson’s Disease, every day is “Parkinson’s Awareness Day.”
Women’s Parkinson’s Project
There are more than 10 million people worldwide diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. How many are women? What is the average age women are diagnosed? How do women react differently to medication than men? There are no clear answers. Women’s Parkinson’s Project was started to find answers, and to raise our voices for better treatment and research for women with Parkinson’s disease.
Twitchy Woman
A personal blog for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers written by Sharon Krischer. The blog posts offer the latest developments in Parkinson’s research, stories of people’s triumphs and challenges, and bits about her own lengthy journey with the disease. She also hosts a monthly Zoom webinar for her readers with guests speakers.
Forest Service accessibility guidelines
The Forest Service works toward “maximizing accessibility of recreation opportunities while protecting natural resources so that all people have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.” Their commitment is established in Forest Service policy, and this is their policy manual. How does accessibility fit into a range of opportunities? They must ask, “How can we design, purchase, or build it to ensure all people have an equal opportunity to use this facility?” The manual is a good look at the rights of people with mobility and other challenges.
Up Ending Parkinson’s
https://www.upendingparkinsons.org
Established in 2012, Up Ending Parkinson’s offers people living with Parkinson’s disease a way to stay active and fit through rock climbing. The group focuses on therapies such as strength training, flexibility, balance and aerobic exercises, and social interaction by organizing climbing activities, both indoors and outdoors. The Alexandria, Va.-based organization and has units throughout the country and is continuing to expand.