They have  a coach trip going to The Black Country Museum on TUESDAY 11th June. There are 3 pick up points, Wellingborough, Kettering and Kingsthorpe Northampton.  (exact locations to be notified later)

Last month Mel Smith; your Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist and Angela Jeffery joined forces to work with Northants Healthcare. The Comms Team at Northants Healthcare asked us to help them get the word out; what Parkinson's Is. Mel and Angela want to thank our service users who got involved by allowing us to video and photograph them; telling us what Parkinson's Is to them. Northant's Healthcare then tweeted, Facebooked and shared these video's and photo's to all of their followers.  We are hoping that we can share these video's when our website eventually works!!

Hollye from the comms team was very generous in thanking us - here is an extract from an email Angela received:
 

"I just wanted to say the biggest, biggest thank you to you all for the hardwork you’ve put into this awareness day. The videos are something else – they are emotive, capture our audience well and showcase what Parkinsons Is.

 Thank you so much for your work on this, and just a quick email to say I’ve learnt so much about Parkinson’s which I hadn’t ever realised was related to Parkinson’s. Please say the biggest thank you to all the service users involved in this and to you guys – THANK YOU FOR BEING OUTSTANDING AND FOR ALL YOU DO."

Isn't that great?? Hear are a few of the pictures and images.

The Fit n' Fab Exercise Group had a little dressing up party on World Parkinson's day. Just to show that having Parkinson's does not mean that you cannot have a bit of fun whenever you like.

See The Photos on www.northantsparkinsonspeople.uk   

I dare you to buy some paints, water colour, oils or acrylic and some brushes or just a rag. Mix some paint, cover the brush or rag and quickly draw it across a piece of paper. Can you see where the texture has changed, where you put more effort into it, at the start where the colour was deeper or the end when you ran out of paint. What does the smear make you think of, can you do something with it, have a go.
 

As promised the first page or two of Simon Ingram's latest book. Simon is really happy to hear any feedback - see his Facebook page contact at the end of this extract - Enjoy …
 

 

Well, B******s to that…probably one of the first (and last) occasions I’ll conduct any research into anything to do with my ‘progressive’ travel companion.
Initially, I thought a dictionary definition would help me significantly reduce the expected word count for my book when trying to describe the disease. However, despite the exercise probably saving several pages those cold, shallow and uncaring words has left me feeling less than happy. Parkinson’s has turned my world upside down affecting every aspect of my life. To see such a destructive illness defined in less than 50 words has left me feeling grumpy. It feels as if someone, somewhere is underestimating the ‘enemy’.

Like most children of my generation, by about the age of 8 or 9, I’d given up on the naive notion that:

Option 1. One day I’d rule the world.

OR

Option 2. I’d be the world’s richest man.

In August 2019, I’ll celebrate my 53^rd birthday. With the benefit of my advancing years I can now clearly see the instruction manual for ruling the world is far from complete. Indeed, unless further work is urgently undertaken on international diplomacy there may be significantly smaller chunks of the world to rule.

Whereas the dreams I once had as a youngster have now changed, I would still love to generate huge amounts of money to enable me to donate pots and pots of cash to help speed a cure for Parkinsons.

I’ve absolutely no idea where these megalomaniac dreams came from as my early years were spent living in modest surroundings even when compared to the average standards of the day.

Even more puzzling perhaps was the way in which I thought I’d amass the vast sums of money as earning the fortune was never a consideration!

Despite my illness impacting huge swathes of my life, it’s interesting to note that during periods of sleep, where I’m able to recall my dreams, my disabilities completely disappear. Perhaps this is my way of coping with the disease, or, could it be an indication of a default setting for the human brain where the subconscious can override your waking thoughts and any disabilities. I maybe way off the mark but I believe that it’s worth asking the question.

Every time I sit down to write I’m instantly overwhelmed by memories of my life. I’m sure that some people would see my nostalgia as a sort of weakness. To anyone who may have come to that conclusion, I would argue that they couldn’t be further from the truth as nostalgia and an unstoppable desire to live my life drives me forward.

The memories I have of my immediate family are enhanced by the monochrome family photos from the 1960’s and early 1970’s that seem to suggest that life was colourless, humourless even pointless when compared to the endless high definition images and vivid colours that scream at you in this 21st century world of ours. Not a bit of it, the truth lies behind the fabulous, never to be repeated tale of a special time in British history that goes largely unreported because we didn’t all have a trillion-pixel mobile camera phones capable of highlighting the smallest pimple on the chin of a cousin, brother or even a passing imposter hell bent on ‘photobombing’ your next image to be picked to pieces on social media! Are we having fun yet? 
Perhaps there is one criticism of the old fashion black-and-white photograph that even I cannot defend. In what must be some sort of chemical imbalance brought about in people being too close to the camera, ‘back-in-the-day’…nobody ever seemed to smile!
Due to my overdeveloped competitive nature, my relationship with Parkinson’s was always going to be a difficult one, often breaking out into open hostility as the symptoms of this illness cruelly make my life as difficult as it can.
If you think of it in terms of a boxing match, the opening rounds went to the disease as I initially found it hard coming to terms with the disease. Despite being on the ropes following a series of relentless punches, my knees beginning to buckle under the weight of the world, it never quite had me beaten and sitting on the canvass. However, despite being caught by a few uppercuts, I’ve won every round since on a unanimous points decision. 
Anyone wishing to add any of their own thoughts or ideas are more than welcome to contact me on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/simon.ingram.90

Simon Ingram

Place - Dettingham Barracks      Time - April/May 1959

After drawing our kit or rather part of it and being allocated an Army Service Number, we commenced basic training. We were given several rules to follow some of which were
1) No civilian clothes allowed including underwear
2) Not allowed to leave camp without permission (rarely given).
Each day followed a pattern. Get up at 6am, breakfast 6.30,make beds clean barrack room then parade at 8.00 being late not an option. Morning inspection (this was the first time I heard some of the old favorites) "are you in pain boy" "no sir" "you should be I'm standing on your hair get it cut". From there it was foot drill until lunch, afternoon weapons drill and familiarity, and pt and sports. My bunk mates and I all agreed, we were in a cross between a public school and an open prison. 
Once a month on a Sunday was church parade our first one came after three weeks. We paraded at 9.30am then we separated into the different denominations. I was catholic and we marched of to the WVS hut as there was no catholic church nearby we had a service, then us new recruits (5 of us) had to wait to meet the Padre. 
He was a large man, Father David Ross he spoke to each of us asking name and where we came from. He came to me and I told him my name but when I told him I was from Northampton, he glowered at then said in a forceful way "what that abode of heathens and blasphemers". I was totally surprised and nonplussed, he then retired to his office. My mates were bewildered and I couldn't enlighten them so much speculation occurred.   Sometime later as we were having a cuppa I was instructed to report to the Padre. Being a bit apprehensive I entered his office "I apologize boy and hope I didn't alarm you" "no sir" I replied "I just thought you had gone a little mad" He looked at me then burst out laughing. He then explained that his outburst was due to the fact that Northampton worked on Good Friday, which at that time it did. 
Several years later I came across him in the sgts mess at 3 BOD Singapore, he looked at me and said "Arh yes, the heathen from Northampton, would you care for a scotch".

A Parkinson's sufferer, Jean-Paul de Cremer from Belgium decided there wasn't enough media attention on the disease so in 2010 after months of planning started Radio Parkies with the help of a 'Young People with Parkinson's group in Belgium. Initially produced in Dutch only and for 8 hours a day.
In record time an English-Language Version was launched broadcasting from Yorkshire. It now broadcasts in 8 Countries!
Don't just take my word for it try it your self at www.radioparkies.com if you are using a PC or laptop you can listen by clicking the PLAY LIVE RADIO PARKIES button. There are apps for listening via Apple and Android devices too.

Recipe of the Month
Philly Chilli
 

Serves 5-6 (stores in fridge 3-4 days or can be frozen)        Preparation 15 mins    Cooking  55mins
 

Ingredients	Notes
500g minced beef	Lower fat is better for you, but you go with what suits your style or pocket.
2 medium onions, chopped	1 large onion, chopped to your preference
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped	That's what they all say, I mostly use garlic paste. Golden rule with garlic don't burn it
½ -1 tsp hot chilli powder	* If you're not sure put a small amount in and taste it after it has simmered for 5 mins
2 tsp ground cumin	Gives the dish a smoky and earthy flavour
2 tsp ground coriander	Adds a sweet and warm taste
2 tbsp plain flour	Thickens
150ml red wine or extra stock	I only add this if I have spare wine! That's not often!
150ml beef stock, made with 1-2 beef stock cube
400g can of chopped tomatoes	I've used Pasata and tomatoes from the garden (skin them or pick out the skin after chopping)
400g can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp tomato purée
3 -4 squares dark chocolate	Or 1 tsp caster sugar
1 tsp dried oregano	Alt.-Thyme or Basil would be ok
freshly ground black pepper, and salt	To taste
To Garnish, a dollop of creamy blue cheese	Alt- A dash of sour cream, chopped basil

 

Method

1. Using a large lidded saucepan, put a dessert spoon of oil in the pan and soften the chopped onions for 2-3 minutes. Add the minced beef, cook until beef has lost its redness breaking it up with a spoon to ensure there are no clumps.

2. Add the chilli (to taste*) cumin, coriander and garlic. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the flour and mix well to coat the meat.

3. Add the stock, if its hot pour it straight in. if its cold add it slowly so the cooking process doesn't stall. Add the tomatoes, drained kidney beans, oregano and tomato puree. If you are using sugar instead of chocolate add it now. Add salt and pepper.

4. Adjust heat until the chilli is just simmering. Put the lid on loosely (I always leave a wooden spoon in the pot) cook for 45 minutes stirring often.

5. At 45mins the sauce should be thick and the meat nice and tender. Taste and adjust (chilli powder, salt, pepper)

6. Break up the chocolate and add. stir and cook for 5-10 minutes.

Garnish with a dollop of creamy blue cheese or a swirl of sour cream. You can go all cheffy and sprinkle fresh coriander or basil leaves on too.

Serve with rice or jacket potatoes. Sides of garlic bread, salad or coleslaw

In our house its brown long grain rice on day one, jackets on day 2. Chilli is one of those dishes that seem to improve by chilling and reheating. It also freezes well.