Parkinson's group to meet

MERIDIAN When the Meridian Parkinson's Disease Support Group first met a few months ago there were only four people in attendance who suffer from the debilitating condition.

The last meeting of the group saw 50 people show up looking for mutual support, information and peace of mind. Needless to say, Jimmy Gossett, one of the founding members of the group, was both astonished and pleased at the response.

"It is so nice to meet so many people who have the same condition as you," said Gossett, explaining he doesn't wish the disease on anyone. "But when you have this kind of problem, having friends and meeting new ones who through sheer numbers can build you back up, that is a nice thing."

With each new group meeting, Gossett said more and more health professionals work to assist in any way they can. Gossett said in the upcoming meeting, set forTuesday, June 12 at 10 a.m.at the Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian, three health professionals will be on hand to lend their expertise in the realm of Parkinson's Disease (PD).

"We will have physical therapists and speech pathologists on hand to help with information on what we face as PD sufferers," Gossett said. "But we will have fun, laugh, and fellowship. That is the best therapy we can have."

Gossett said the therapists will bring with them years of experience in dealing with PD sufferers. He said the health professionals will address such issues as speech deficits including reduced volume in their voices, decreased intelligibility, poor breath support and swallowing. Speech pathologists Angela Ramsey and Lesley Smith will be speaking to the group about oral motor exercises, respiratory exercises, and patterning techniques. The subject of neuromuscular e-stim to improve speech and swallowing will be covered.

Also, Amanda Sayers, a physical therapist, will be on hand to discuss some exercise techniques and different treatment approaches for the group as related to gait patterns, how to deal with "freezing" and tremors, and safety precautions.

"Each of these presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions so each person there can get the answers unique to their conditions," said Gossett.

Gossett said everyone is invited. He said he hopes that all PD suffers, not only in Meridian and Lauderdale County, but also throughout the East Mississippi area, will come and discover this group so they can seek the help and support so many sufferers need.

"It is all up to us, the PD sufferer, to increase our knowledge and understanding of this condition so that we can better cope with it," Gossett said. "We encourage those family members who have a person suffering from PD to come as well so they can get a firm grip on what their loved one is going through."

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Parkinson's group to meet