Some really good news
 

We are delighted to let you know that the Northamptonshire NHS Trust have responded to requests from our Parkinson's Nurse Team to provide more support for people with Parkinson's. Mel Smith has let us know that a new nurse; Polly will be taking up her post in the north of the county in the middle of September. Debbie Smith, who many of you already know will increase her hours in the south. As reported in previous articles in this newsletter the prevalence of Parkinson's has risen over the last ten years and continues to rise. This has put a strain on the service that the Parkinson's nurses provide, so more nurses and an increase in hours is very good news for the Parkinson's community.

Contact: Sue Mutlow 01933 274856   or [email protected]

Day trip to Springfields Outlet Leisure and Shopping centre
 

As well as 50 plus shops and plenty of coffee shops, Cafe's and Restaurants there is a garden centre and the Festival gardens  25 acres of landscaped lawns and exciting sculptures, dazzling water features. As a winner of the Rolls Royce International Property Awards, the Festival Gardens introduce members of the public, amateur gardeners and enthusiasts to a wide range of horticultural experiences. These include celebrity designed gardens: A Lifetime Ahead by Kim Wilde, Jungle Island by Charlie Dimmock, as well as formal gardens, woodland areas, wetlands, the Senses Garden and the Memorial, Sundial and Founders Gardens. There are also Display Fountains combining music and water for wonderful shows.

Contact: Sue Mutlow 01933 274856   or [email protected]

Doug usually sends in a story about his days as a boy soldier but this month he has taken to describing how parkinson's is affecting him in day to day living. I think this puts the disease into context, if you have a problem that won't go away then you have to deal with it. Doug is joined in this article by a few less well known celebs.

Housework (how hard can it be) 
Having reached five-year since being diagnosed with Parkinson's, this week end was the first time that I had not had my granddaughter, the lovely Kelly and her husband Dom, come to do the house work. This was due to the fact that they were moving house, so in my infinite wisdom when she asked if I would be OK, I quite calmly said of course (not wanting to appear a burden) my first mistake. 
So on Saturday morning I decided that I was going to be OK and tackle the changing of the bedding, mistake number two. It is amazing how wearing walking around a double bed can be! I decided after 30 minutes that enough was enough and that I would forgo a fresh duvet cover, the fitting of which can be difficult at the best of times. I sat down for a while (bad move) and decided to have a snack. I then rang a couple of friends for a chat and the next thing I realised it was mid afternoon. So I thought I'll do the rest in the morning. 
Morning came and I decided to go and get a paper, the weather not being bad it took me about 25 minutes. I then had my breakfast and a second cuppa and I was ready to start. First; washing up went OK. The washing machine was then loaded and I'm thinking this is going to be a "breeze"..... Must send memo to self "do not make rash statements like that"!!!  After tidying up, putting books away, I decided to do the vacuuming. After starting of OK I tripped on the cable, stumbled and ended up on the sofa bit shaken, I thought to myself "must be careful", I carried on and went to turn towards the hallway. 
I managed to trip again but as I fell I was able to push myself to the side and stop falling, luckily. Now, definitely shook up I finished as quickly as possible. I sat down with relief ....I never knew how dangerous and exhausting housework could be. I am now definitely leaving it to others and I will take help when offered and stop being stubborn. 

Just an observation, thought that it may help anyone who is in a similar situation as I.   Doug, 2019

When I start pouring [cereal], I don't know what's going to happen. The next thing I know, I'm spraying All-Bran all over the kitchen. MICHAEL J. FOX, "Michael J. Fox Is Feelin' Alright After 20+ Years With Parkinson's"

With Parkinson's, exercise is better than taking a bottle of pills. If you don't do anything you'll just stagnate. BRIAN LAMBERT, "Parkinson's is no barrier to cycling"

When a friend or family member is diagnosed with Parkinson's, there are many battles that need to be tackled. Most importantly, support, love and understanding are imperative for the sufferer, the carer and the families.... Do a lot of encouraging and try your hardest to continue on in a normal way.  GABRIELLA ROGERS, Living with Parkinson's

If I'm at events and I'm clapping, my mind will say, 'Stop clapping,' but I just keep going. Tracy says, 'You're always the last one clapping.' I swear, it's not out of appreciation -- it's out of disintegration. You have to laugh at that. MICHAEL J. FOX, "Michael J. Fox Is Feelin' Alright After 20+ Years With Parkinson's"

People with Parkinson's can often mitigate effects by keeping active and engaged in the community. But doing so can be difficult because Parkinson's can make them want to withdraw. This can be a symptom of the disease's main effect on the brain, destruction of dopamine -- a neurotransmitter involved in regulating movement, pleasure and motivation, among other roles. There's a real catch-22 because often you don't feel like getting up and going. It's hard to get started, but the sooner you do and the more you do, the better and easier it will get as time goes on. JOEL SCHLESINGER, "Camaraderie today, a cure tomorrow", Winnipeg Free Press, March 21, 2016

On behalf of the Tulip Group, Angela would like to say a HUGE Thank You to Tony Roberts of the Rotary Club of the Nene Valley. For those of you who don’t know, local Rotary clubs are part of a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders and problem solvers in 200 countries. Rotary members unite individuals and take action to create change and support thousands of people worldwide.
Each and every year, the Rotary Club of the Nene Valley choose local Northamptonshire good causes, ensuring their donations are spent on the individuals they were intended for. This year, the Tulip Group was chosen by Tony Roberts, President of the club during the 2018 – 2019 Rotary Year.

The Tulip Group is a small weekly group which has been managed by Angela Jeffery for the past few years. The group is for people with Parkinson’s who wouldn’t otherwise get out and about very often due to mobility problems caused by Parkinson’s. The people who attend the group pay a fee, set by the N’pton Branch P.UK and this covers lunch’s, refreshments and transport etc. The N’pton Branch P.UK subsidise any other expenses. However, the Tulip Group has a very good reputation within the community and many people donate to the Branch because of this valuable service which is
available to support people with Parkinson’s.
Last year Tony approached Angela via her private exercise group and very kindly offered to raise money for people with Parkinson’s. Following this generous offer Val Hamblin (very much missed ex chair) and Angela went along to the Rotary Club of the Nene Valley and gave a presentation about
Parkinson’s and about the Tulip Group which was very well received. Tony and his fellow Rotarians worked extremely hard throughout the year raising an amazing amount for local Charities, including the Tulip Group and Tony very kindly presented Angela with a cheque for £3,000 which has been handed over to the Branch and has been ring fenced for the Tulip Groups expenses.

Thank You Very Much Tony and all at the Rotary Club of the Nene Valley.

Lets get Quizzical
 

1)          Which city was the capital of West Germany from 1949 until 1990. 

2)          What is the meaning of the word Panary

                 A) a songbird.         B) bread storehouse.         C) a soup bowl 

3)          Which African animal takes it's name from the Dutch for "earth pig"

4)          A book by Vladimir Nabokov, which was banned when first published. 

5)         Which element is represented by the letter W on the periodic table 

6)          What was operation "Torch" in WW2
 

Measure all the ingredients straight into a mixing bowl and mix for two or three minutes (with an electric mixer) pour into the cake tin and bake for an hour.
Test with skewer (should come out clean)  if the cake looks done on the outside but is still undercooked inside lower the oven temp a little and cook for another 5 mins and check again.