Free sessions explore benefits of storytelling for Parkinson’s patients

By Jim Flint for Ashland.news

Curly Dykstra, at the suggestion of a client with Parkinson’s disease, decided to experiment with the idea of incorporating storytelling into her therapeutic exercise regimen for Parkinson’s Disease patients at Parkinson’s Central, a studio she owns and operates at 905 Skylark Place in Ashland.

To that end, she is offering two free one-hour sessions at 11 a.m. Friday, May 12, and Friday, May 19, at the facility, which is located in the Mountain Meadows retirement community, near the intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain Meadows Drive.

The sessions are underwritten by Play On Shakespeare, an Ashland nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding of Shakespeare.

Joining her will be OSF actor and facilitator Jonathan Luke Stephens. He was recommended to Dykstra by one of her Parkinson’s clients, Priscilla Walker.

“We have never worked together,” Dykstra said, “but I’m looking forward to seeing him interact with the participants. We’ll explore how we can use our voices and bodies to continue telling stories.”

Advance registration is required at curlydykstra@hotmail.com. Partners or caregivers are welcome to accompany participants.

“Family members are encouraged to come to observe and learn about ways they can enhance the quality of the lives of their loved ones,” Dykstra said.

Incorporating storytelling into her program is a new concept for Dykstra.

“I have never tried it before, but I am excited to learn more about it,” she said.

Exercise has long been recognized as beneficial for Parkinson’s patients in managing the disease. It can help improve motor function, slow disease progression, reduce symptoms, improve mood and well-being, and lead to increased independence.

Storytelling is increasingly being used to provide a range of benefits, too. It can help promote social connections, reduce feelings of isolation, improve cognitive functioning, and provide a sense of purpose and meaning.

Engaging in creative activities like storytelling can stimulate the brain and improve memory and concentration.

Dykstra has been working in the Parkinson’s community for nearly 25 years. Her 3,000 square-foot facility is located in the Pavilion building at Mountain Meadows.

“We are not a part of the community,” she said, “although some of their residents take classes from us.”

Her interest in developing programs for Parkinson’s patients stems from becoming aware of the debilitating disease more than two decades ago when working with one of her clients who was afflicted with it.

“Back then, exercise was not yet known widely to be a neuro-protective activity for patients with Parkinson’s,” Dykstra said. “In fact, it was discouraged. Scientists now know that a co-therapy of exercise and medication is truly the way to go.”

She says having a facility where Parkinson’s patients can work together to improve their lives is “freeing” for them. They are part of a group of people who share some or all of the same effects of the disease.

“They don’t have to worry about being judged or being criticized for being unable to communicate effectively with others. They get it.”

Before Dykstra starts a training program for a Parkinson’s patient, she does a thorough physical assessment.

“That way I can design a very specific exercise program, based on what the assessment reveals. Not everyone with (Parkinson’s disease) will have the same exercise routine.”

Among the exercise options available are the use of Theracycle, developed specifically for neurological disorders.

“Unlike traditional exercise bikes that are powered by the rider, this type of bike uses a motor with 15 levels of speed using the ‘forced exercise’ principle,” she said. “It keeps the rider at a specified cadence, providing low-impact exercise, perfect for people suffering from disorders like Parkinson’s or MS.”

Her regular exercise bike classes follow a “stay-in-the-saddle” model.

“That means we never stand up to pedal,” she said. “The entire session is done in a seated position. The class was designed for (Parkinson’s disease) folks, but we have a few people who just love this form of exercise and join us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”

Another exercise option is boxing, using punching bags. The high-intensity exercise can improve physical fitness, balance, and coordination, all of which are typically affected by Parkinson’s disease.

In addition, boxing training requires a wide range of movements and challenges the brain to make quick decisions, which can help to improve cognitive function and motor skills.

Performing the individual assessments provides Dykstra a way to measure results of the therapy.

“For example, at the beginning of a training program, they might not be able to get out of a chair without using their arms,” she said. “Or they might not be able to walk five minutes on the treadmill. But after a few weeks, they can see their time improve on the treadmill, or get up from a chair without the assist.”

Dykstra says that some people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s fear a judgmental reaction by others, and, because of the debilitating effects, may feel they can’t be a functioning part of society.

“Sometimes they just give up,” Dykstra said. “I love showing and sharing some of my success stories. They leave feeling so much lighter and hopeful for their future.”

Their own progress as they train provides further motivation.

Dykstra likes to remind her patients that Parkinson’s does not take a day off, and neither should they.

“I encourage my folks to walk around the block on their non-gym day,” she said. “Even meditating or a gentle 5- to 10-minute stretch can be helpful in keeping the disease at bay.”

At the free sessions May 12 and 19, Parkinson’s patients and their loved ones can learn more about how exercise that’s safe and appropriate can be an important part of managing their disease.

In addition, the sessions will be a learning opportunity for both patients and therapists in discovering the ways storytelling can help improve their lives.

That’s a story with a happier ending.

Reach writer Jim Flint at jimflint.ashland@yahoo.com.