The story of two artists with incurable neurological disease sharing fear, frustration, and friendship as they push to complete the most rewarding work of their careers.
Every summer, my family drives to the northernmost part of California to a cabin on a pristine, spring-fed river known for its icy temperature and trout. I am no fisherman, but the ranch’s seclusion and bucolic setting offer a sublime respite from city life. In July 2012, several weeks after Hadley’s appointment with my Dr. ...
The story of two artists with incurable neurological disease sharing fear, frustration, and friendship as they push to complete the most rewarding work of their careers.
After learning Jane’s story, it occurred to me that because multiple system atrophy (MSA) often shares symptoms with Parkinson’s, it was very likely that there were others besides Hadley in our Facebook group who might face Jane’s prognosis. And, yikes — what about me? For the next few days after reading Jane’s letter, the offhand comment made by the neurologist who’d diagnosed me kept popping into my head: “We’ll want you to have a tremor soon so we know it’s not something worse than Parkinson’s.” I sent an email to my MDS, Dr. ...
Natalie Skall heard about InMotion from Amy and late founder Lee Handel, whom she and her husband Richard are close with, during the conception stages. Her husband, in fact, had known Lee since High School. In addition, she has been a client of founder Ben Rossi for over 10 years.
A retired Medical Technologist, Natalie is “amazed and wonderfully surprised to see the progress that clients have made through exercise and interaction with other clients.” Although her career has always revolved around the medical field, she had not been directly involved with clients until volunteering at InMotion but has found it very rewarding. ...
When you arrive at InMotion on a Wednesday afternoon, you will most likely be greeted by Laura Bennett and Natalie Skall. Both have been volunteering their time at InMotion since the doors opened in March 2015.
Laura, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, heard about InMotion at a PD Symposium that she attended with her husband shortly after her diagnosis. As both a client and a volunteer, Laura has a unique perspective of InMotion. ...
If you stop by InMotion on a typical Thursday afternoon, you are likely to be greeted by Kathy Cohen’s welcoming smile. Kathy, the daughter of InMotion founder Allan Goldberg, has been volunteering at InMotion for the past two years. A current resident of Moreland Hills, she is a licensed independent social worker currently taking time off to raise her two children.
“My Happy Place” are three words that Kathy uses to describe her volunteer experience at InMotion. ...
When Cindy Polster brought her uncle to InMotion for a tour, she was hopeful that he would agree to participate in the center’s classes and programs to help him with his Parkinson’s disease. What she didn’t expect was that she herself would also decide that day to become a part of the InMotion community by volunteering.
“Another volunteer at the front desk shared that they were looking for more volunteers, and I decided that InMotion could be a wonderful place for my uncle and a volunteer project that I could feel really good about,” says Cindy. ...
Barbara Schaefer has been volunteering since InMotion opened its doors after attending a Cleveland Heights Parkinson’s Support Group where former Executive Director Lacy Roth spoke and mentioned that when InMotion opened they would be looking for volunteers.
Since coming to InMotion, Barbara says, “I am continually impressed by the caregivers and how kind and supportive they are of those they support. I am also impressed with how helpful and engaged Ben, Dan, and the staff is with clients.”
Before coming to InMotion, Barbara, who is retired and resides in Mayfield Heights, kept busy teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), traveling, working on her genealogy, participating in clinical trials, and exercising. ...
On Wednesday and Thursdays, you’ll find Nancy Grannis helping out Ben Rossi and his team in the Better Every Day (BED) classes. Since InMotion began in 2015, Nancy has been volunteering in the BED classes and was actually the first volunteer coach for BED.
Fulfilling. Awesome. Inspiring. Those are words Nancy uses to describe her volunteering experience at InMotion. She enjoys the positive, inclusive spirit of InMotion, and is inspired watching clients make physical gains that “build confidence and grit.”
Prior to volunteering, Nancy taught 5th grade in Shaker Heights. ...
Say hello to Barbara Herman! Barbara has a personal connection to InMotion as both her mother and her brother had Parkinson’s. She has been volunteering her time here for the past two years.
Barbara adores the clients and staff and is touched by the kindness shown to everyone who stops in. “The people that attend are so nice and they seem to really enjoy being here,” she stated. Barbara enjoys the sunshine down south during the long Cleveland winters, but you can look for her on Friday afternoons at the front desk once spring arrives! ...
Step into InMotion on a Monday morning and you’ll likely be greeted by Harriet Kitay’s welcoming smile. Harriet, who resides in Lyndhurst, welcomes clients and caregivers every Monday morning as a front desk volunteer.
A former owner of furniture stores, and current competitive bridge player, Harriet heard about InMotion from a friend. She said her time at InMotion has taught her “patience and positivity,” and she truly enjoys “the spirit of the clients and the warmth of the staff.”
One of the most touching experiences at InMotion for Harriet occurred several months ago. ...