Stanford Young Onset Parkinson's Support Group
Stanford's APDA Information & Referral Center and Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach coordinate a local Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) support group. This YOPD support group is open to those diagnosed with PD by age 50 or younger, and their family members. Pre-pandemic, we met at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. As of April 2020, we are now meeting virtually. About eight of our meetings feature a guest speaker, and about four are open discussion.
We meet the second Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30pm PT. If you are interested in being added to the meeting reminder email list, please contact John Mamin, phone 650-248-7363, or Robin Riddle, phone 650-724-6090.
June 2023 Meeting
The group will be gathering on Tuesday, June 6, 5:30pm for its annual picnic at a Palo Alto park.
May 2023 Meeting
The group hosted a panel discussion titled "DBS without the BS." It featured group members who had experienced deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.
April 2023 Meeting
Open discussion.
March 2023 Meeting
The March 14th speaker was Theresa Najjar, DPT, physical therapist, Synaptic PT. She addressed some PD exercise fundamentals and led a demonstration of some useful PD exercises.
February 2023 Meeting
The February 7th speaker was Peter Tass, MD, PhD, Stanford Neurosurgery. He provided an overview of research for a non-invasive, vibrotactile coordinated reset (VCR) stimulation for treating PD.
> To be added to a list of interested participants in the "glove study," email Dr. Tass's team. If true, specify that you live in the Stanford area, participate in the Stanford YOPD support group, and heard Dr. Tass speak to the group.
> Dr. Tass spoke in July 2022 about his VCR stimulation research to the Palo Alto PD support group. Watch the recording.
January 2023 Meeting
Open discussion.
December 2022 Meeting
Open discussion about holiday plans.
November 2022 Meeting
The November 8th speaker was Dr. Maya Katz, movement disorder specialist at Stanford. She addressed holistic health and wellness.
October 2022 Meeting
Open discussion.
September 2022 Meeting
Open discussion.
August 2022 Meeting
The August 9th speaker was Dr. Gaurav Chattree, movement disorder specialist at Stanford. He gave a brief update on treatments in the pipeline, and answered questions. (The planned speaker had to cancel at the last minute so we were grateful to Dr. Chattree for filling in.)
July 2022 Meeting
Open discussion.
June 2022 Meeting
On June 14th, the group gathered at a Palo Alto park for our annual picnic. (The picnic in 2020 and 2021 had been cancelled due to the covid pandemic.)
May 2022 Meeting
Open discussion.
April 2022 Meeting
Open discussion.
March 2022 Meeting
The March 8, 2022 meeting featured Jennifer Larsen, a certified athletic trainer and instructor of PD exercise classes. She taught a PD exercise class for over an hour.
Jennifer currently teaches PD exercise classes virtually. Here's an extensive list of live, virtual PD exercise classes, including those offered by Jennifer.
February 2022 Meeting - New drugs/treatments for PD
The February 8 meeting featured Gaurav Mohit Chattree, MD, movement disorder fellow, Stanford. He gave a short talk on new drugs/treatments for PD, followed by a general Q&A.
January 2022 Meeting - SPRING Study and ADAPT-PD Study
The January 11 meeting featured Jillian Melbourne, a researcher at the Neuromodulation and Human Motor Control Lab for Parkinson's Disease at Stanford University. She described two clinical trials -- SPRING Study and the ADAPT-PD Study.
December 2021 Meeting - Open Discussion
Open discussion.
November 2021 Meeting - Driving and PD
The November 9, 2021 meeting featured Alyssa Nolff, occupational therapist, Stanford Healthcare. She addressed driving with Parkinson's Disease.
October 2021 Meeting - Open Discussion
Open discussion (as the guest speaker cancelled).
September 2021 Meeting - Getting the Best Treatment for YOUR PD
The September 14, 2021 meeting speaker was Leila Montaser Kouhsari, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford. She gave a short presentation and then answered questions.
August 2021 Meeting - Building Resiliency and Wellness
The August 10, 2021 meeting focused on "Building Resiliency and Wellness for PD." The speaker was Maya Katz, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford.
> "Daily Wellness Journal." Created by Judy Long, Chaplain and Jana Guenther, Research Coordinator, University of California, San Francisco
July 2021 Meeting - Open Discussion
Open discussion.
June 2021 Meeting - Deep Brain Stimulation
The June 8, 2021 meeting focused on "Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for PD." The speaker was Traci Hornbeck, RN, Stanford Neurosurgery. She gave a short presentation about DBS, and then answered questions.
May 2021 Meeting - Open Discussion
Open discussion, allowing group members to discuss whatever is on their minds.
April 2021 Meeting - Open Discussion
Open discussion.
March 2021 Meeting - PD Exercise Class
The March 9, 2021 meeting featured Jennifer Larsen, a certified athletic trainer and instructor of PD exercise classes. She taught a PD exercise class for over an hour.
Jennifer currently teaches PD exercise classes virtually. Here's an extensive list of live, virtual PD exercise classes, including those offered by Jennifer.
Feb 9, 2021
Open discussion (as guest speaker cancelled).
Jan 12, 2021
Open discussion.
Dec 8, 2020
Virtual holiday gathering.
Nov 10, 2020
Theresa Najjar, DPT, a physical therapist and PD fitness instructor spoke about the four key components of a PD exercise plan. Here are links to her presentation and handout.
> View Dr. Najjar's Presentation
> View Dr. Najjar's Handout on a PD exercise plan
Dr. Najjar currently teaches PD exercise classes virtually. Here's an extensive list of live, virtual PD exercise classes, including those offered by Dr. Najjar.
