An interview with Gregg Hummer from the Parkinson’s Support Group of Orange Park FL on July 13, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
The Parkinson’s Support Group of Orange Park, promotes activities focused for People with Parkinson’s. We are a nonprofit organization.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I was diagnosed in 2014, I was living on the Big Island of Hawaii. Due to the Parkinson’s, I was unable to perform on my job, so I was forced to retire early. The first weeks of the diagnosis I went thru deep depression and my condition progressed very quickly. I found a local support group and started getting more involved. We built our local group from 3 to 35 people in a matter of months.
Life’s events led us to move to Jacksonville Florida, I became active in a local exercise group, and our local support group in Orange Park, Fl. I discovered that my involvement in several groups slowed down the progression of my Parkinson’s tremendously.
In January 2022 I took over the leadership of our support group, we emphasize to our members the importance of staying active every day. We have positive events that the whole group participates in the organization and planning. We may be challenged but we are not defeated.
I also am a member of the Parkinson’s foundations People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council, and a member of several other local committees.
Jax Hope Inc is a local organization that assists in funding exercise programs and other events, I am the Director of Support Groups assistance programs. We help support groups organize events to raise money and strengthen their infrastructure.
My advice to anyone with Parkinson’s to be active as much as possible and get involved whenever possible.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My passion would be helping those who are first diagnosed, leading them to a local support group, and encourage them to get involved.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Believe in yourself, even though things may move a little slower, and we shake rattle and roll, we can still live a fulfilled life. Join an exercise group, join a support group, plan a trip, most of all keep moving.
What type of training/programs does the Parkinson’s Support Group of Orange Park FL offer and how long are the programs?
We have an exercise program that was created by a person with Parkinson’s, George Sobel. Some of the chapters across the nation never started up after the epidemic, but we started up soon afterward. We currently have 50 active members that do the various exercises. One of the qualifications for being an instructor is having Parkinson’s or are a spouse or caregiver of someone with PD. We hold classes twice per week lasting an hour per session.
We also have a Tai-Chi instructor, we sponsor educational events as well as fun activities.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Continue to do the things you enjoy, accept that you have this thing called Parkinson’s but remember you have it, it doesn’t have you.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
Helping those who are newly diagnosed get support and information from their local groups if they have it. If not link them to websites that contain information. Assist them to start a group in their area, all it takes is 2.
What events do you participate in?
Exercise, fundraisers, runs/walks, group meetings and activities.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
The caregivers are an essential part of our group, they have their own meetings and activities besides the ones directed to People with Parkinson’s.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
facebook.com/parkinsonssupportgroupoforangeparkfl
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
I am not saying this is a pleasant journey we face on a day-to-day basis, but we can regain control of our lives by getting connected to others that have our condition.