Celebrating 15 Years Of Service To The Parkinson s Community

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1 MICA (P) 016/09/2011 F e b r u a r y PD Committee Members ( ) President: Lau Meow Hoon Julie Editor: Au Wing Lok Vice-President: Frank Schulz-Utermoehl Committee Members Tan Eng King Lien Christopher Au Wing Lok Tan Siok Bee Secretary: Tan Chew Seng Louis Chiang Melvyn Cheng Lay Tin Guo Emily Heinrich Jessen Treasurer: Theresa Goh Lee Patricia Marcus Lam Puvadol Saengvichien Charles Foo The Society has set up a Patient Welfare Fund to provide financial assistance to needy patients. You can get an application form from your doctor. For enquiries, please write to Chairperson, Patient Welfare Subcommittee, Parkinson s Disease Society (Singapore), 26 Dunearn Road, Singapore Celebrating 15 Years Of Service To The Parkinson s Community 47-year-old Andy Lim Li Soon was diagnosed with Parkinson s disease at a young age of 22. Despite his condition, he has remained positive and pressed on with his life. Andy is happily married and is a father of a pair of twin boys. His courage and strength in coping with the disease is an inspiration to fellow patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Andy received the top Parkinson s Star Award from the Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong, at the Parkinson s Disease Society, Singapore (PDSS) 15th Anniversary dinner on 25 November The other two award recipients were both caregivers - Madam Lau Koh Mooi and Ms Pathmavathi Regu, who have shown dedication and strength in caring for their loved ones. In her opening speech, PDSS President, Ms Julie Lau paid tribute to the founders of PDSS, who formed the Society 15 years ago to promote awareness and understanding of the disease by partnering with clinical institutions and community care organizations, to reach out to patients and their caregivers and help them better cope and integrate into society. Today, PDSS has remained steadfast in living out this mission.

2 Moving ahead, PDSS will work closely with NNI doctors and its multidisciplinary team at the hospitals to build a one-stop Parkinson s Centre in Bishan to better serve patients and their caregivers. The PDSS center will offer rehabilitative support and wellness and therapeutic programmes for these patients and caregivers. said Ms Lau. Mr Leet presenting his painting as token of appreciation to our guest of honor, Minster for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong Honorary Award, Mr Reggie Thein Honorary Award, Mr Wong Kum Sek Honorary Award, Dr Adrian Tan The fundraising dinner marked the Society s 15 years of service to the Parkinson s community. Held at Raffles Town Club, the dinner was attended by 350 guests among whom were former Minister of State, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon and Prof Lee Wei Ling, Director National Neuroscience Institute (NNI). The highlights of the evening included singing and dance performances by PD patients and their caregivers as their way of saying thank you to the people who have cared and shared with them during their difficult moments. The event included a charity auction of art pieces, watches and former Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew s autographed books Hard Truths. The dinner ended on a high note as the Minister for Health took the diners by surprise by rendering an evergreen mandarin number, The Moon represents my Heart. Thanks to the Minister s kind gesture in helping to raise funds and the generosity of sponsors and donors, the dinner event raised $323,000. The proceeds will go to fund the Society s subsidized programmes and help defray the operating costs of the new centre. By Ms Neo Lay Tin Song Duet Ballroom dance

3 Joint and skeletal deformities in Parkinson s disease Joint and skeletal deformities ranging from hand or foot deformities, scoliosis, and frozen shoulder may be seen in Parkinson s disease. Permanent contractures can be prevented by early diagnosis. Parkinson s disease usually starts on one side, the affected side may lag behind during walking and patients may slowly develop a tendency to lean towards the affected side which may result in scoliosis. Hand and finger deformities occur frequently in advanced Parkinson s disease and may be exacerbated with coexisting arthritis. These may result in abnormal flexion of their fingers which may curl into a palm causing a breakdown of skin and poor hygiene of the hands. Frozen shoulder may develop before the motor symptoms of Parkinson s disease. Initially the patients may report shoulder discomfort and pain on the side affected by Parkinson s disease. Decreased arm swing, rigidity and bradykinesia cause limited range of motions of the shoulder contributing to this problem. Following are some of the helpful tips for skeletal deformities: Regular and gentle exercise Physiotherapy Regular weight bearing exercises depending upon individual capability Hand and foot deformities can be helped by the following tips: Avoiding positions which can cause compression of nerves in arms, especially when sitting in a wheelchair Using of padding and pillows under elbows and arms Avoiding flexion or curling of fingers into the palms by keeping the hand straight Using a splint to keep hand straight Frozen shoulder can be helped by: Range of motion exercises Applying heating pad or warm baths Physiotherapist consultation Assessment by rheumatologist if the symptoms are intractable By Dr. Abdul Qayyum Rana Neurologist and Chair World Parkinson s Education Program World Park Edu Prog Volume 5:1-2; 2011 New Year Party cum Supporters Appreciation 2012 A total of 100 PDSS members, caregivers, volunteers and supporters gathered at NNI Exhibition Hall on Saturday, 14 January 2012 to celebrate the New Year and to usher in the Chinese New Year. PDSS President Ms Julie Lau kick-started the event with a welcome address, followed by a video on the 4th Parkinson s Star Award Winners which touched the hearts of many. The fun and excitement began when guests participated in the warm-up exercises, games and sing-along session, organized by SGH volunteers and the Y s Men Club, Alpha Chapter. Familiar songs such as Ai Piah Jia Eh Yia, Wo Wen Tian, and Lu Bian De Ye Hua Bu Yau Cai brought joy and caught the hearts of many. There were plenty of food and prizes, and everyone had fun on that day. By Ms Tina Tan

4 News in Brief Parkinson s Star Award st PRIZE MR ANDY LIM 2nd PRIZE MDM LAU KOH MOOI 3rd PRIZE MDM PATHMAVATHI REGU CONSOLATION PRIZES Ms Ang Swee Hwa Mr Cheong King Sing Ms Cindy Oh and Ms Oh Bee Low Mr Soh Guan Kheng Mr Tang Seng Fatt Mr Teo Chye Seng C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S T O A L L W I N N E R S! 1 st 2 nd 3 rd Karaoke Session This is a collaborative project between PDSS and Y s Men Club Alpha Chapter, a service club of YMCA. Held on Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm over 6 months, the Karaoke session was a great `voice training session for our PD members, and a great time for all to relax and to de-stress. Movement Fitness Participants had fun learning from instructors an exercise routine which combines movement with music to enhance cardiovascular fitness, joint flexibility, and muscle strength. Participants always feel happy and energized after each session.

5 Dance and Rhythm Our resident instructors Ezra and Kelly continued the ballroom dancing training for our PDSS members. They performed at the PDSS 15th Anniversary Dinner on 25 November Self-care Wellness Workshop for Caregivers Caregivers for People with Parkinson s took the centre stage at this workshop, as they learned from counsellor, nurse clinician and social workers about the psychological, emotional, and social aspects of being a caregiver. Useful coping tips were discussed. Tai Chi Class The 2nd Tai Chi class continued to draw more participants at the PDSS premise, where Tai Chi Master Mr Ong showed participants the graceful steps of this ancient martial art. Laying the Foundation for Communication Success This is a speech training class conducted by a speech therapist from NUHS. Participants learned about voice projection for effective communication. Daily practice is needed for continuous improvement.

6 Announcements Acknowledgement PDSS would like to thank Mr Lee Yuen Shih, Ms Anne Hoe Su Ling, Dr Jerry Lim Kian Tho, and Mrs Irene Lim for their generous donation of $23 700, in memory of Dr Lee Seok Keng (Mrs Sylvia Hoe) Support Group Meetings Parkinson s disease is a life changing illness that affects many aspects of the person s life. Some changes such as tremors and rigidity have observable qualities; however, other changes can only be described by the person with Parkinson s Disease. Support groups let you the patient, know that you are not alone and can provide you with an opportunity to share with others any information on individual experiences that you have. Members will also listen to what you have to say. Support groups can help you and your caregivers mentally and physically with group exercises, sharing of personal experiences and social meetings. Meetings at National Neuroscience Institute & Tan Tock Seng Hospital Venue : Neuroscience Clinic Conference Room, Level 1, NNI Date and Time : 2nd Thurs of the month from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm (Light refreshment will be served) Registration : on the day of the support group meetings & it is free NNI website: Dates Topics Speakers 09 Feb 12 Speech and swallowing problems in Parkinson s disease Ms Fong Ei Leen Speech Therapist, TTSH 08 Mar 12 Speech and swallowing problems in Parkinson s disease Ms Sarah YM Ko Speech Therapist, TTSH 12 Apr 12 Healthy diet for people with Parkinson s disease Ms Wong Siew Li Dietician, TTSH 10 May 12 Healthy diet for people with Parkinson s disease Ms Wong Siew Li Dietician, TTSH 14 Jun 12 Understanding and caring for people living with Parkinsons Ms Alisa Tan Medical Social Worker, TTSH 12 Jul 12 Understanding and caring for people living with Parkinsons Ms Alisa Tan Medical Social Worker, TTSH 09 Aug 12 NO MEETING NATIONAL DAY 13 Sep 12 Medications for Parkinson s disease Dr Tay Kay Yaw Consultant Neurologist, NNI 11 Oct 12 Medications for Parkinson s disease For more information, call: Nurse tan Siok Bee at ( tan.siok.bee@sgh.com.sg) Ms Li Wei Advanced Practice Nurse, NNI Meetings at National Neuroscience Institute & Singapore General Hospital Venue : Postgraduate Medical Institute (Simulation Room), (SGH Block 6 Level 1, Next to Kopitiam) Date and Time : 1st Mon of the month from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Dates Topics Speakers 06 Feb 12 Creative Activities for Parkinson s Ms Mairin Whwlan Occupational Therapist 05 Mar 12 Music and Mind for relaxation Ms Patsy Tan Music Therapist 02 Apr 12 Understanding Your Parkinson s Medicines Ms Shannon Lam Pharmacist 07 May 12 Parkinson s Disease and management Dr Prakash Kumar Consultant Neurologist 11 Jun 12 Feeding and speech difficulties in Parkinson s Disease Speech Therapist 2 Jul 12 Financial Planning & Community Resources Ms Rhina Yeow Medical Social Worker 06 Aug 12 Deep Brain Stimulation - What is it and Can I go for it? Mr John Thomas Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon 03 Sep 12 Getting around with Parkinson s Disease: Strategies to move safely and effectively Ms Geetha DO Sekar Physiotherapist 01 Oct 12 Group Discussion: Relaxation Techniques and Coping with Parkinson s Disease Ms Tan Siok Bee Advanced Practice Nurse * Programme is subject to changes Parkinson s Disease Society (Singapore) 26 Dunearn Road, Singapore Tel: (65) Fax: (65) pdsspore@gmail.com website: