ENCINITAS, Calif. — Raising your voice is often considered to be rude, but manners don't apply for patients fighting Parkinson's. In this Zevely Zone, I went to Encinitas to learn more about a free program that's worth shouting about.
People living with Parkinson's Disease have a tendency to grow very quiet, but not here. "Ahhhhhh," yelled the group sitting in chairs in a semi-circle.
Speech pathologist Lindsey Unger was warming up her LOUD Crowd.
"Good. We are exercising your vocal cords just like you would exercise any area of your body," said Lindsey. "I see people coming in with big smiles every day."
It's a free support group for people living with Parkinson's. Aspiration pneumonia is a common Parkinson's problem.
"Intentional swallow," said Lindsey as the group practiced power swallowing. "When you first get diagnosed with it, it scares you, you know," said 74-year-old Wayne Zych who finds himself whispering if not prompted to speak up.
"I had an egg and cheese sandwich," said Wayne clearly on his second attempt. "So much better," encouraged Lindsey.
In 2016, I aired a similar story to this that was very personal to me. My stepmother Donna Zevely was diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 59 and fought back at a boxing class that encouraged her and others to stay active and be loud.
I never once heard Donna ask why she ended up with Parkinson's.
"Why anybody? Nobody deserves this," said Donna. "Life is full of things that happen to you. It's how you handle them."
Donna passed away at age 69 in 2020.
I was brought to tears when hearing the LOUD Crowd do their exercises. "I just commend your fight and how hard you are trying to live your best lives because that's what Donna did," I said.
One of the group members, Frank Finn, was friends with Donna. His fight continues. "I just want to do the best I can. I want to give it 110 percent and you meet a ton of people great support group," said Frank.
They meet at NeuroLab 360, a non-profit rehab and wellness center owned by Jessie Agrimis in Encinitas.
"This is the best group. We love everyone in this group, and they get along and hang out outside of the group and they are all here just to fight Parkinson's and delay disease progression," said Jessie.
Parkinson's patient 71-year-old Marcia Stanley told a joke as part of the therapy. "What do you call two birds in love? Tweethearts," she said.
If ever Marcia Stanley needed a laugh, it's now. Most of us grew up learning that yelling won't solve anything but that doesn't apply to the LOUD Crowd.
The exercises are part of The Parkinson Voice Project’s SPEAK OUT! Program.
Neurolab360 is the recipient of the Parkinson Voice Projects SPEAK OUT! Grant which helps provide materials for our group. If you'd like to learn more about the LOUD Crowd, click here.