Dear Reader,

Today I responded to a post from a fellow-member of Women’s Brain Exchange network. Her subject line was: “Recommendations for Parkinson’s”

I wish to share my response through this blog post.

I cheer for all brave folks who are coping with disease and illness and all the compassionate advocates!

I was an advocate for my father – he thrived in spite of Parkinson’s.

Information is powerful! What I had learned as an advocate enriched my own life and also everyone else’s in Papa’s community.

Be ahead of the game – know that Parkinson’s is a movement disorder… thus, find (not just a general neurologist) but a neurologist whose patient base is mainly movement disorder patients and who does not rely on “old” techniques.

Same for physical therapists – folks who aren’t trained in movement disorders caused heartaches for Papa. The right folks taught my father ways to “refresh” the brain.

RESOURCES:

Michael J. Fox Foundation https://www.michaeljfox.org/  says:  “The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.”

Membership is free for patients and their advocates.

https://www.michaeljfox.org/

Pull down “Understanding Parkinson’s” tab.  Then look for “Education and Inspiration” tab.  You’ll see recordings of webinars and podcasts.

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When one is not feeling well… learning new ways to improve one’s health can be overwhelming. I wish everyone compassionate advocates to help make the journey a gentler one.

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Dr. Norman Doidge reminds us that WALKING helps our brain produce new brain cells – prehistoric humans and animals walked to find food and shelter, to get away from predators – the brain releases chemicals to promote movement. 

While using exercise equipment helps us build strength … walking requires our Brain to make decisions… our Brain learns about our surroundings and conditions when we walk.    Walk   Walk   Walk

Our brain releases beneficial chemicals even when the movement is imaginary. Athletes, musicians, all types of performers use “Visualization”.  Mind-Body connection at work!

I am a Curious George. I like to know “why” when someone says “Try this”

Learn how our beautiful brains work

Please read both books written by Norman Doidge, M.D.

Ask librarians at public libraries.

Dr. Doidge’s books have been translated into 30+ languages!

I must have bought close to 100 copies of THE BRAIN’S WAY OF HEALING (Dr. Doidge’s second book) to give to family members, friends, and my father’s neighbors.

https://www.normandoidge.com   Dr. Doidge’s books have been translated into 30+ languages!

Please ask librarians at public libraries.

Dr. Norman Doidge’s first book – 

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book –  

The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity

Chapter 2 A Man Walks Off His Parkinsonian Symptoms How Exercise Helps Fend Off Degenerative Disorders and Can Defer Dementia

(Teresa here to say that this chapter – about Mr. John Pepper – inspired me to be a smart advocate for my papa. Mr. Pepper’s website https://www.reverseparkinsons.net/ )

Chapter 1 Physician Hurt, Then Heal Thyself Michael Moskowitz Discovers That Chronic Pain Can Be Unlearned Chapter 2 A Man Walks

(Teresa here to say that this chapter led me to learning how to stop persistent pain after Shingles virus rash healed.

Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden’s website http://neuroplastix.com  )

Norman Doidge: Brain’s Healing Energies - 28 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifYcE4-eI_s

Norman Doidge on his amazing new book The Brain’s Way of Healing - 20 minutes 14 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1m2klb5vTo

Dr. Norman Doidge | The Power of Thought  CBC News – 10 minutes 44 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c5aTlq3nYI

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“COVID Raises Risk of Long-Term Brain Injury, Large U.S. Study Finds” https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-09-22/covid-raises-risk-of-long-term-brain-injury-large-u-s-study-finds

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Another helpful resource – the blog post by master teacher and holistic healer Gilles Marin -

“Detoxifying from Vaccines with Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables”

https://www.chineitsang.com/post/detoxifying-from-vaccines-with-herbs-fruits-and-vegetables

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Thank you, holistic healer Stephanie Wilger, for telling me about:

Taoist Meditation: The Six Healing Sounds – https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7UZa_zhOg9A

Thank you, YouTube channel user Andrew McCart!

 

 

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Thank you for reading my blog post “Parkinson’s Disease – Resources for Brave Patients and Compassionate Advocates”

I wish you and everyone around you vibrant health always and new adventures for a beautiful life.

Thank you, Mr. George Carlin (Angel Carlin), for inspiring me to eliminate unnecessary words.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung, 2019 Paris, photo by Mary E. Knippel

Teresa Jade LeYung 

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Blogger / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa’s Blog

Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

USA Federal government offering 4 COVID home test kits (2 boxes) for winter prep
https://www.covid.gov/tests or https://special.usps.com/testkits

For example:

Laurel Bookstore is in the Laurel District in Oakland, California:

“Laurel Bookstore is a community spot for readers. If the book you want is not on the shelves, literacy hero Luan Stauss and her friendly staff will do their best to order it for you.” Cheers from author and writing career coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

June 18- 25, 2011 is Independent Booksellers Week; author and writing career coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Everyday is Support Independent Booksellers Day and everyday is Support  Your Local Public Schools and Public Libraries Day!”

We all have the power to promote literacy!

Author & Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

P.S.  On Saturday June 25, 2011 I introduced my friend and colleague Margie Yee Webb (author of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life ) to Luan Stauss, owner of Laurel Bookstore in Oakland, CA

authors Margie Yee Webb (in photo) & Teresa LeYung-Ryan (photographer) cheer for Laurel Bookstore & Luan Stauss (in photo)

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September 27, 2009

Speech for Salinas Libraries Centennial Celebrations and Read-In Reunion

Kathy Richman translates Teresa LeYung Ryan's speech into Spanish

Greetings.  I am Teresa LeYung Ryan, the author of Love Made of Heart.  The title of my book describes the Chinese character for “love.”  Inside the character “love” is the word “heart.”

It is a story about an immigrant-mother’s love and sacrifices; it’s about her daughter who ultimately finds self-forgiveness.

Today I’m here to wish Salinas Public Libraries a happy birthday and another hundred years of “open doors for open minds!”   The California Writers Club is also celebrating their centennial birthday this year!   I give a shout, out to all the branches of CWC!

To honor today’s celebrations, I have written a letter to my mom, who died of metastasized breast cancer in 2000.

Dear MaMa,
Guess where I am today?  In Salinas, California, the birthplace of your mother.

4 years ago, Lyle and I packed our tent and sleeping bags to join library advocates at the 24-Hour Emergency Read-In.

Kathy Richman helped me read a mother-daughter scene from my novel.  The reading was fun, so was camping out, but, we all knew what would happen if our beloved libraries were going to be shut down.

It is 4 years late.  The Salinas libraries are thriving because of community love and support.  Three weeks ago, when I opened Patti Fashing’s email about a re-union, I ran to check my calendar.

So, this time, instead of packing sleeping bags, Lyle packed a canopy.  We carpooled with Patrick Camacho of Save-the-Libraries.

You see, MaMa, public libraries have a special place in my heart.  Remember when I used to tell you?: “I won’t be home after school, I’m going to the library.”

Well, that’s where I really went.  I wrote all my book reports there. Even though I could have brought home the books and read them in our apartment, I chose to read and write in my quiet and safe place. The library was my sanctuary.

All those years, I never thanked you and Father for the great sacrifices you both made—packing up your lives, leaving Hong Kong, so that your 3 children would get an education.

Here in the U.S.A. we the children gained the power of reading and writing while you struggled with a new language in a new world.

I thank you now, for having the wisdom to let me spend many hours at my quiet and safe place. Those days I was a scared little girl and felt that I had nothing to say.  But how I loved writing book reports.

These days I am speaking out for libraries—at city council meetings; through letters to editors; through emails; on my blog and other blogs.

Also, I am using the gift of reading and writing to honor immigrant-stories; to advocate compassion for mental illness; to help survivors of family violence find their own voices; to encourage parents and grown-children to speak from the heart.

Today I celebrate libraries, librarians, patrons, and everyone involved in organizing this lovely party. I celebrate California Writers Club.  I celebrate you, MaMa. You are all love made of heart.