KAUKAUNA, Wis. — Two years ago Joe Geniesse was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Today, he’s doing what he can to slow the impact of the disease on his life.
“It’s not so much the tremors that have bothered me but my muscles. A lot of stiffness and a lot of slow movements,” Geniesse said. “Even my speech and cognitive abilities. Sometimes I’ll trip over a word or I’ll forget people’s names, someone who is a common name to me and I’ll forget… what their name is.”
He’s a participant in a new series of classes at St. Paul Elder Services, Inc. in Kaukauna. Known as PWR!, the classes get participants up and moving.
“This helps me loosen up and gives me things I can work on at home,” he said. “Plus, it’s a social time to be with others who have a similar impairment and are living with a similar thing. We kind of have a good time as we’re doing it.”
Allison Mischler heads up the Monday afternoon classes.
“PWR! are exercise moves that help with their functional motor skills specific for Parkinson’s patients to carry over into everyday life,” she said. “Getting in and out of the car, walking, reaching up and grabbing something from the cabinet. These exercises specifically help with that.”
Mischler said the exercises work in conjunction with medication.
She said she’s seen the class make progress.
“I get very emotional because it is very satisfying working with them,” Mischler said. “And that we’re full and we’re at capacity every week. It’s very inspiring.”
Geniesse is a professional Santa and Parkinson’s is now part of his life.
But he’s working to slow its progression.
“Medication doesn’t work as well as time goes on. However, they’re coming up with new treatments all the time. Treatments such as this, getting together and doing some exercises, it’s a great thing,” Geniesse said. “I hope these things will help me for the future both on my own and in more groups like this.”
For more information on PWR!, or to sign up, call (920) 766-6020 or email shannad@stpaulelders.org.