Message from the Executive Director (December 2024)

Posted: December 1, 2024
by

Somehow it’s December again. As I contemplate the close of another year, I keep thinking about time—how it seems to speed up and slow down at various points in our lives, how precious it feels in moments of joy or grief, how endless in moments of boredom.

We’re in the business of resource sharing, and anyone living with a degenerative condition like Parkinson’s knows time is the most valuable resource of all. So I took the opportunity to look back at 2024 and calculate the way we at PRO spent our time:

405 hours of one-on-one consultation with people with Parkinson’s and families
237 hours of virtual and in-person support groups, which translates to
810 “people hours” of combined attendance at support groups
123 hours of direct community outreach

And those are just the hours spent in direct contact with you. We also spent 216 hours curating this very newsletter, 208 hours lovingly updating the Memorial Wall, and countless hours vetting providers and services for our Resource Directory.

Anyone in business will tell you “time is money.” I personally think “time is love.” That said, “money makes the world go round,” and it’s that time of year where I must ask you to open your wallets and consider us as part of your holiday charitable giving.

Your tax-deductible year-end donation literally buys us time to share with people with Parkinson’s and caregivers. It gives us the freedom to focus on our mission, to focus on you, to focus on working so no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s.

You’ll hear from us a few more times this holiday season via email, social media, and possibly a letter in the mail. Please take a moment to consider what time means to you, and how much value you place on the time we spend with you.

In the meantime, there’s plenty more to share.

Mystery of America’s ‘Parkinson’s Belt’ Where Chemicals ‘Are Fueling Frightening Spike in Brain-Wasting Disease'

Holiday Recipe: Roasted Carrots With Thyme

Caregivers Need to Relieve Stress During the Holidays

PRO Social Club: Jingle and Mingle Holiday Party

Parkinson’s Disease Impacts Mental Aspects of Movement, University of Alberta Researchers Find

Traveling With Parkinson’s Disease? These Tips Can Help

Parkinson’s Medication Entacapone Alters Microbiome, Induces Iron Deficiency

‘Roger’s Wiggle’ for Holiday Stress

Meet the PRO Team: Wendy Garcia

ALWAYS remember to CELEBRATE YOU and LEAD WITH LOVE.