Parkinson's Fitness Ability-based Exercise, Arts and Movement Programs

 

Cultivating Compassion Education Series October Gatherings Special Program for October! Premier Screening! "Sacred Denial—Mariah and Me” One act play presented by Ron Gladis Tuesday, October 20, 2026 7:00 p.m. ET This month, we are delighted to offer something special and unique: the first screening of Ron Gladis’ solo one-act play, "Sacred Denial—Mariah and Me,” that he performed live a year ago. This recording captures all of the drama, humor, joy and sadness of Ron’s relationship with his wife, Mariah Fenton Gladis, a psychotherapist living with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) for nearly 40 years. The show chronicles their journey of love, hope, and resilience as they face the challenges of living with her terminal diagnosis. Despite her physical limitations, Mariah, a dedicated therapist with a passion for helping others, continued her life's work. The show highlights Ron's experiences and emotions as he supports Mariah, showcasing the power of love, courage, and "sacred denial" in the face of adversity.  Ron is a dear friend and colleague of our Founder and CEO, Ron Hoffman, who was also close to Mariah and the family during much of their journey with ALS.  Register About Ron Gladis Ron Gladis is President of the Mariah Fenton Gladis Foundation who’s mission is to provide programs that bring a sense of love, compassion, and forgiveness to individuals, families, and communities with a desire to create and live better lives. Ron Gladis is also the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Gestalt Center for Psychotherapy and Training, a community resource providing caring and professional psychotherapy, training and counseling since 1978. In a former life he was an electrical engineer, an artist, teacher, caregiver, author, photographer and a filmmaker; a true Renaissance man. Monthly Gatherings Caregiver to Caregiver October 8, 3:00pm ET Join the informal gathering designed to offer genuine support for those engaged in ALS caregiving. Enjoy the opportunity to be with other folks who have an intimate understanding of ALS and share your unique point of view as a caregiver. It is truly a meaningful experience to sit in council with ALS caregivers, to practice heart-centered listening, bear witness to our journeys and those of others, and to support and be supported without judgment. Register Sons and Daughters of ALS Guided by Ron Hoffman, CCALS Founder October 8, 7:00pm ET Sons and Daughters of ALS, hosted by CCALS Founder and Director, Ron Hoffman, is designed for those 18 years to 30- somethings who have experienced a parent, or close loved one, struggling from symptoms, diagnosis, decline or death with ALS. Growing up with the intensity and complexity of ALS in our family can shake us to the very core. It is often hard to comprehend or describe the ways that this disease shapes our past, present and future. If you are living with, or have lived with, the impact of a parent with ALS, you are invited to join our zoom gathering for Sons and Daughters of ALS. With deep listening, in the company of others who know the similarity of the uninvited path of having a parent with ALS, we will gather in council to share our experiences with the broad motivation to bring heartfelt connection, awareness and healing. Register Men of ALS Guided by Ron Hoffman, CCALS Founder October 15, 2:00pm ET Join us for a time of brotherhood and belonging for men living with ALS, or men caring for someone with the disease. This group operates as a council circle that encourages deep listening, acceptance, and an invitation to be genuine about what is going on in your life. Register Women of ALS October 15, 3:00pm ET Enjoy the connection and unique perspective of other women living with ALS, female caregivers of persons living with ALS, daughters of those with ALS, or any woman touched by the disease. We will gather in council to share our experiences with the broad motivation to bring heartfelt connections and healing to the ALS journey. The Women of ALS gatherings create a safe space to explore the rich feminine perspective on lineage, sexuality, the role as caregiver, and the experience of compassion. Register Mothers of ALS October 26, 1:00pm ET CCALS offers this informal gathering specifically for mothers who have a child living with ALS. This disease shines a unique and challenging spotlight on the relationships between mothers and their children. We will join with each other in council to listen deeply and bear witness to our experiences as we connect and discover new pathways through the intensity of an ALS experience. Register Contact James@ccals.org with any questions. Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Tax ID # 04-3567819

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Parkinson's Fitness Ability-based Exercise, Arts and Movement Programs

 

Newsletter & Class Schedule 10/5 - 10/11 Dear Friends: The leaves are already beginning to show a touch of fall color, and quite a few already fell during our storm last week. Add to your fitness routine and get some outdoor walks to enjoy the view if you can. Remember we know that every bit of movement helps to make it easier to manage your Parkinson's symptoms. Let's get back to it! Gail leads her Parkinson's support group at the Marblehead COA this Monday, October 5th at 11am, right after Kim's fitness class. All are welcome! Class Note: There will not be a Wednesday Yoga this week with Dianna. Also, on Monday, October 12th there will be no class in observance of Columbus Day. Thank you! Linda In-Person Parkinson's Fitness Classes This list details our in-person classes. Click on the underlined address to access a map and directions. Look to the blue box under this section for links to our Zoom and recorded classes.  Mondays at 10am In-Person Strength with Kim at Marblehead Council on Aging, 10 Humphrey Street in Marblehead. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 781-631-6225 ------------------- Wednesdays at 11am In-Person Strength with Kim at Marblehead Council on Aging, 10 Humphrey Street in Marblehead. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 781-631-6225 ------------------- Thursdays at 11am In-Person Balance in Motion Class with Dianna at MAGMA (Movement Arts Gloucester), 186 Main Street in Gloucester. To confirm class will be held, please call Dianna at 857-488-7880. ------------------- Thursdays at 12:30pm In-Person Strength with Kim at Salem Council on Aging, 401 Bridge Street in Salem. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 978-744-0924. ------------------- Fridays at 10:30am In-Person Balance and Strength Class with Sally at Lynnfield Council on Aging, 525 Salem Street in Lynnfield. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 781-598-1078. ------------------- Fridays at 1pm In-Person and Also on Zoom Balance in Motion Class with Dianna at Danvers Council on Aging, 25 Stone Street in Danvers. To confirm class will be held, please call the COA at 978-762-0208.  Can't make it in? Join from home with this link: Click Here Meeting ID: 824 0247 5688. Passcode: 12345 Parkinson's Fitness At Home Exercise Try these pre-taped classes that you can do at home at any time. Do what feels best for your body and clear the area around you so your arms and legs can move freely. Drink plenty of water. All times listed are US Eastern Standard Time. Click here to convert to your time zone. Tuesday at 1pm Balance in Motion with Dianna on Zoom Click Here Meeting ID: 824 0247 5688 Passcode: 12345 ------------------- No Wednesday Breathe and Stretch Yoga with Dianna this Week. Try one of Dianna's recorded classes or head over to Marblehead COA for strength class this week. Click for Dianna’s channel of videos ------------------- Friday at 1pm Balance in Motion with Dianna on Zoom Click Here Meeting ID: 824 0247 5688 Passcode: 12345 -------------------  Looking for More Workouts? Try one of our Recorded Video Classes  Click for Dianna’s channel of videos Click for a recorded workout with Kim Click to access Parkinson's Foundation Fitness Friday videos  News, Articles, & More Gail leads her Parkinson's support group at the Marblehead Council on Aging this Monday, October 5th at 11am, right after Kim's fitness class. All are welcome! Webinar: Let’s Keep Moving with APDA: Pep in Your Step – Getting the Most out of Your Walking—Tuesday, October 6th at 1pm Walking is an important part of staying active with Parkinson’s. Join physical therapists Sara Zoeller and Teresa Baker to explore how you can safely add more speed and intensity to your routine, and why adding speed and intensity to your walking is important for people with PD. Our presenters will explore strategies for making your walking brisker.  In this episode, you will learn: Why walking speed and intensity matter for people with Parkinson’s Different ways to measure walking intensity, including heart rate, steps per minute, and total steps What cueing strategies are, and how they can support your walking Click Register. Webinar: Thriving Through Speech Therapy/A Group Discussion—Wednesday, October 7th at 3pm Join in for the launch of APDA's quarterly, interactive group discussions focused on speech therapy for people with Parkinson’s. Whether you’re currently in speech therapy, considering it, or simply curious about available treatment options, these sessions offer an opportunity to learn and connect. Sessions will explore evidence-based approaches and exercises for speech, swallowing, and communication in PD. Share your experiences, ask questions, practice exercises, and gain practical tips to feel more informed and confident when working with a speech-language pathologist. Click Register. Come Out For Moving Day Boston— Saturday, October 10th at 9am at DCR Artesani Park in Boston Each year the Parkinson's Foundation hosts Moving Day fundraising walks around the country to unite people living with Parkinson's disease, their care partners and loved ones. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It's a celebration of movement, which is proven to help manage Parkinson's symptoms. When you join a Moving Day event and fundraise, as a solo walker or part of a team, you join our movement. A movement committed to providing lifesaving resources. A movement committed to advancing research and care. A movement committed to helping people live better with Parkinson’s. A movement committed to finding a cure. Click to Learn More and Register. Expert Briefing: The Gut–Brain Connection: How Digestive Health Affects Parkinson’s—Wednesday, October 14th at 1pm Scientists are learning that what happens in the gut may have an impact on the brain — including in Parkinson’s disease. In this session, we’ll explore how gut health and digestion are connected to Parkinson’s symptoms and overall well-being. You’ll hear about current research on the “gut–brain connection,” what it could mean for understanding Parkinson’s, and how caring for your gut may play a role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Click Register. Webinar: Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Understanding the Science Behind PD Clinical Trials – Part 2 —Wednesday, October 14th at 1pm If you have Parkinson’s, but you don’t have a PhD in biochemistry, we have created a special series to help people understand the exciting things that are happening in PD research and clinical trials, without needing any scientific expertise!! Dr. Gilbert has teamed up with Dr. Kevin McFarthing, who is a biochemist, an expert in PD clinical trials, and a person with PD, to present Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Understanding the Science Behind PD Clinical Trials. This three-part series will break down the fundamentals of biology and biochemistry so you can understand some of the exciting treatments currently being tested in PD clinical trials. We will walk you through it and answer your questions along the way. Click Register. Webinar: Practical Guides to a PD Friendly Home—Wednesday, October 14th at 3pm Join Brian Grant Foundation for a chat with occupational therapist Jen Pidkowicz for practical advice on creating a safer, more supportive home environment while living with Parkinson’s. We’ll discuss simple modifications that can help prevent falls, improve mobility, conserve energy, and make daily tasks easier. Click to Register.

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