Wilmington Parkinson’s support group helps members stay active, connected

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than 1.1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease, with about 90,000 new diagnoses each year.

But behind those numbers are people learning how to adapt to the disease and continue living active lives — together.

In Wilmington, a local Parkinson’s support group is using exercise, education and community to help people living with the disease keep moving forward.

“I think the greatest thing we can do is educate ourselves about what it is,” said Richard Barnard, 82, who has been living with Parkinson’s for about five years.

Barnard said Parkinson’s involves much more than the tremors commonly associated with the disease.

“There are a lot of symptoms that are unknown to individuals without Parkinson’s that definitely challenge us,” Barnard said. “Movement primarily is an issue. Balance is another big issue.”

That is why members of the Wilmington Parkinson’s Support Group say staying connected is so important.

The group meets monthly at the First Baptist Activity Center and brings together people living with Parkinson’s, care partners and local experts, according to member Amy Lindberg.

“We want people to learn the early signs of Parkinson’s so that they can change their lifestyle if needed,” Lindberg said.

Exercise is also a major part of the group’s efforts, with activities ranging from stretching and group workouts to boxing.

“I box three times a week,” Barnard said. “It’s an exercise program as well as a physical exercising program that uses boxing as a primary focus.”

For some members, managing Parkinson’s has also involved advanced treatment options.

Jim Cosper has lived with Parkinson’s since 2011. For the past year, he has used a device that delivers medication directly into his body to help manage his symptoms.

“I have a pump right here,” Cosper said.

He described his experience with the treatment as “quite an amazing journey.”

For group coordinator Ralph Hamilton, the support group provides something just as important as information and exercise: a sense of community.

“What we’re trying to do is to raise awareness, let folks know that they’re not alone,” Hamilton said. “They’re welcome to come. We’ve got small groups, we have large groups, we have a whole variety.”

For people living with Parkinson’s, members say that combination of education, exercise and support can make the journey feel a little less isolating.