Update on big for life, loud for life pilot program

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s approach is based on impact through teamwork and collaboration. Empowering teamwork in the community between caregivers, individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), therapists and loved ones is core to our mission.

In June 2018, we talked about two critical members of Kirk’s team, Kerri and Lea (pictured with Kirk). At that time, 

UPDATE ON BIG FOR LIFE, LOUD FOR LIFE PILOT PROGRAM

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s approach is based on impact through teamwork and collaboration. Empowering teamwork in the community between caregivers, individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), therapists and loved ones is core to our mission.

In June 2018, we talked about two critical members of Kirk’s team, Kerri and Lea (pictured with Kirk). At that time, we highlighted the Foundation’s contribution to expanding the BIG for Life, LOUD for Life program supported by Kerri and Lea through Foundation partner, Spectrum Health. The program is based on the    Lee Silverman Voice Treatments (LSVT) model, an innovative and clinically-proven method for improving communication and movement in individuals with Parkinson disease. Prior to the Foundation’s involvement, continuity following participation in the program was not available and many participants were losing the gains they had made during active treatment. In conjunction with Spectrum, the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s intervened to provide funding for a “graduate” program that creates community and provides motivation for participants to continue the lessons learned in BIG and LOUD. We’re very happy to report that the Foundation’s investment in this program has had considerable impact and is poised for future expansion!

Here are some quotes from participants in the BIG for Life, LOUD for Life pilot:

“It gives me hope that I can keep doing something to fight PD.”

“It helps to know I’m not the only one out there with PD.”

“I like seeing how other people are doing their program—it gives me some ideas for things I can do too.”

“The groups are fabulous! I go out feeling better than when I came in.”

Relationships and connections are forming within the group along with spouses and family members of the group members. This graduate group provides another link in the chain of living well with PD, with caregivers noting how nice it is to have someone understand what it is like to have a loved one with PD.

Our team member, Spectrum Health, has carefully monitored the funds you’ve entrusted to them and have poured their time and energy into planning and implementing the pilot program. Based on our success in the last half of 2018, the pilot program likely will:

  • Expand the program from bi-weekly to weekly
  • Train two additional therapists to provide opportunity to have four groups (doubling the impact)
  • Purchase three software and microphone packages for a patient to take home for a limited time to practice their speech volume and articulation
  • Offer a class for people with Young-Onset PD to accommodate working adults. It would be huge to keep them employed and feeling successful.
  • Add an additional site at the Spectrum Health Hospital in Fremont, Michigan

 

Kirk Gibson MVP inscribed baseball Winner Announced

Congratulations to Greg R. for winning the Kirk Gibson MVP inscribed baseball! You will be contacted by our office for the award.

We are thrilled with the amount of newsletter signups we have received during the promotion and would like to thank everyone who submitted their information! It is people like yourselves that help us spread amazing research information and our message. We look forward to keeping everyone up to date as we collaborate with top medical institutions to establish new therapeutic resources for those with Parkinson’s and hopefully a cure!

Win an MVP Inscribed 1988 World Series Signed Ball

World Series history history was made 30 years ago when Kirk Gibson hit his legendary walk-off home run against the A’s! This was both a milestone in Kirk’s career, and a moment that will echo throughout MLB history.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this historic moment and to kick off the first game of Kirk’s new world series against Parkinson’s, we 

WIN AN MVP INSCRIBED 1988 WORLD SERIES SIGNED BALL

World Series history history was made 30 years ago when Kirk Gibson hit his legendary walk-off home run against the A’s! This was both a milestone in Kirk’s career, and a moment that will echo throughout MLB history.To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this historic moment and to kick off the first game of Kirk’s new world series against Parkinson’s, we are giving away an MVP Kirk Gibson autographed ball to one lucky individual. Simply join our newsletter between October 16’th and October 31’st 2018 and you will be automatically entered into a drawing to be performed on Nov 7th 2018. Follow along as we engage  in our mission to end this disease by promoting teamwork and collaboration amongst top medical research organizations to find the cure!
NO PURCHASE OR DONATION REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN.  A DONATION DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING WITH AN ENTRY.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Annual Review 2018

The Cure Parkinson's Trust 2018 Annual Review
Teamwork is really starting to pay off! Two major team members, The Van Andel Research Institute, as well as the The Cure Parksinson’s Trust have been collaborating for a cure. Good progress is being made on potential treatments for Parkinson’s. The popular diabetes drug, Exenatide has shown improvement in Parkinson’s symptoms through tests. (See Page 6). Through teamwork, The Kirk Gibson Foundation, leading researchers and YOU are collaborating to beat PARKY!Download the 2018 Annual Review

Annual Review 2018

Teamwork is really starting to pay off! Two major team members, The Van Andel Research Institute, as well as the The Cure Parksinson’s Trust have been collaborating for a cure. Good progress is being made on potential treatments for Parkinson’s. The popular diabetes drug, Exenatide has shown improvement in Parkinson’s symptoms through tests. (See Page 6). Through teamwork, The Kirk Gibson Foundation, leading researchers and YOU are collaborating to beat PARKY!Download the 2018 Annual Review