Washington and surrounding residents are reminded of a local Parkinson’s disease support group that has resumed meetings.

The group was originally formed in 2019 by resident Julie Gentz and her husband Brian who was diagnosed with the disease, and was later paused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gentz resumed meetings this May, and she says those who have Parkinson’s and their caretakers are invited to attend, as well as those who have similar disorders. Gentz shares some aspects of the meetings, “We did a lot of different things. We usually would start off with a picnic and just get a social time because part of it is social. Socialization is so important to people with Parkinson’s, because they need to keep going, they need to keep moving and they need that contact with other people. Because it steals your voice, it steals how you think, besides stealing things with how you move. It definitely is a move it or lose it or use it or lose it, kind of degenerative disease.”

The Parkinson’s support group meets on the last Thursday of the month from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington. For questions about the group, contact contact 319-461-1403 or julie.gentz@gmail.com.