Reflections for meeting 2

We met up with Julie at the organization in the morning. We had planned to discuss details about Julie’s talk in conjunction with World Parkinson’s Day at our school as well as to take a look at the mobile display the center had.

At the same time, our group had the opportunity to observe one of the activities the center was organizing for some of their patients. That day happened to be the patients’ third line dancing session, and so we sat at the back to watch while they practiced. We were amazed at how well they danced despite their mobility and balancing problems. For these patients, movement is very difficult for them. If they got too tensed up, their might even find themselves unable to move. That is why before any activity, these patients are required to do a warm-up routine to calm their mind and relax their body. These forms of activities aim to build up the patients’ confidence while exercising their body.

We were inspired by the volunteer who was very passionate in teaching the patients the dance steps. She was also very encouraging and patient, whenever a patient seemed lost, she would take the initiative to help them. The satisfactory look on her face told me she was happy that her efforts paid off. Looking at these patients enjoying themselves, it really made us respect the patient’s strong determination to live. Despite being stricken with an incurable disease, these patients remain optimistic and cheerful. How many people are able to pick themselves of from such difficulties?

For the rest of the morning, we discussed mainly about the exhibition that we were holding at Kong Chian Library - the arrangement of the mobile display, playing of the medical videos and also the possibility of having a talk at our school. Julie shared with us the powerpoint presentation about Parkinson Disease that she had prepared, and from there we got to know alot more of the disease.

-- Donovan