Meeting Parkinson

'Chicken Dance' session by Peter & Yvonne

First got to know Parkinson Disease when Michael J. Fox, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson in 1991 but he only made it public in 1998.  Parkinson Disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferers’ motor skills, speech as a result of muscle rigidity, tremor, a slow of physical movement and perhaps a loss of physical movement in extreme cases.  For more information on PD, you may check it here.

Members gathered around singing with harmonica

After two months of planning for the fellowship and visit to Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA), Cinnamon Home Fellowship of Full Gospel Assembly gathered all its members who are mostly based in Puchong, Old Klang Road as well as Seri Kembangan to this morning event.  According to Sara, the President of MPDA, they welcome the visit of Cinnamon Home Fellowship this morning, especially this is the first time that such a big group of individual visited MPDA and meeting its members as well as committee members.

The visit and fellowship started at 10:30am and after Sara’s welcoming of everyone, we had Peter and Yvonne who have prepared a very wonderful light dance movement and exercise for everyone.  ”Chicken dance” was well received by the Parkinson patients as it encourages the motor skill movement.  Although some patients have difficulty in participating in the movement, many still made an effort to swing and move around with their fingers as well as bodies.

Bee Guat and Annie showing the rest how to do the 'Chicken Dance'

“This visit is important as it lets our members and children of Cinnamon Home Fellowship to experience and to see what is in the community,” Ong Poh Beng, the leader of Cinnamon Home Fellowship.

Sara shared with the Cinnamon Home Fellowship, that this visit would not be the last, hoping that more of the others would come, get to know the patients and also to grant some support.  All the committee members of MPDA are volunteers with some having family members diagnosed with Parkinson.

The members meet every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as they will have a time of gathering, support, counseling as well as companion on the journey of Parkinson.

The children were mobilised to help to pass the food to the patients while the others helped to serve the food.  Later, we have Lor to join us, who just came back from his oversea business trip.  We praise God for his presence as it has truly blessed the rest of the event.

It might be difficult to organise such visit and fellowship, but the time spent with everyone is amazing and priceless.

Thanks to all the Cinnamonites for the effort and contribution towards this morning visit.  For Nigel, Yim Yim & family, Fredy, Wendy & family, your presence are very much felt among us.  Thanks for the support towards making this outing a success.

For the images taken during the visit and fellowship, you may find them here.

May God refresh everyone and grant us a wonderful weekend.

Have a blessed week ahead.