12/07/2024
Great work Less and Jane do.
Relate P.D. (Parkinson's Support Group)
A Different Way - Turning the Negative to Positive – Les Richards
If you visit the REVIVE café on a Tuesday morning you may have noticed a group of people
sitting around the tables near the counter area who appear to be having a very good time –
although some of them have varying degrees of disability they are clearly enjoying themselves.
This is a new group we call React–PD – we are people living with Parkinson’s and their
respective partners and Carers. After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Jayne and I checked
out various activities that go on in Cornwall, but although these provided entertainment and
things to do they didn’t allow enough time and space for people to really talk in depth and share
their experiences.
For example, we were going to an exercise class in Camborne – which was very useful, but we
noticed that there was no opportunity to interact, the people were wanting to socialize after the
class was over, but they there was no time as another group were booked to use the hall after
us. So, we collected contact details and arranged to meet up earlier in the day before the class
at the nearby REVIVE café in Camborne.
Getting together in an everyday café used by the everyday people helps us to feel part of the
community. It’s wonderful to enjoy each other’s company and really get to know one another.
It’s particularly good for those who are Carers – after all, they are living with Parkinson’s too.
They don’t always get the chance to interact together and they rightly deserve to be recognized
for the vital part they play.
We’ve been meeting up regularly every week for the past 2 months and it’s been so successful
that now we meet up even if the exercise class isn’t on. The café is the perfect place where we
can relax, get together as friends, to talk, support each other and share our experiences. We
also regularly keep in touch by phone and e-mail – and this means we always have someone
who understands what we’re going through. React-PD has become like a loving family.
I personally feel that I don’t want to be defined by the fact that I have Parkinson’s, I don’t want
to lose my identity and although there are things I can no longer do I think it’s vital to carry on
as normal a life as I possibly can for as long as I can. I used to work in Mental Health and I
know how easy it is for depression to set in and people can become isolated. In my experience
when people freely come together they can find a great deal of positive power within
themselves and each other. It’s good for their morale and well-being – it’s also wonderful to
be around such heroic people. Yes, I do mean heroic because together we are changing what
some people might think of as negative into something very positive.
Apparently, 1 in 500 people in the UK are now living with PD and the numbers are growing -
there around 1000 people in Cornwall who live with PD. When you add in the Carers that’s a
lot of people – people who can sometimes feel isolated, not heard and left out of things. By
coming together in a positive way as we are, we need never feel alone. Tuesday in the café is
a time to look forward to – we hope to see you there.
The café is open from Monday to Friday – 9-30-2.30 in the Elim Church building. It’s a really
friendly relaxed place, the food is great, you are welcome to stay as long as you like and there
is plenty of space, accessible toilets and easy parking.
Phone Jayne 07919 893 761
Revive Café, Kerrier Way, Elim Church, Camborne TR148TH
