Stories
LOUD Crowd helps adults cope with Parkinson's and regain confidence
Each Wednesday afternoon, you'll find a group of adults gathered around a table at Central Coast Language & Learning Center. They often start by taking turns naming items that fall into categories like "words that start with 's'" or "types of cheese" and "classical musicians."
These seemingly innocuous exercises are actually intentionally crafted to maintain and strengthen their cognitive and verbal skills. Each person around the table suffers from Parkinson's disease, a progressive nervous system disorder with a host of side effects — including impaired speech.
The group's leader, Director at CCLLC Jennifer D'Attilio, guides the group through exercises with the constant reminder, "Stay loud!" Speaking loudly and clearly is the goal for these LOUD Crowd group members, which will help them better interact with their family members and friends, and also feel more confident when they go out in public.
"Everyday experiences like talking to sales clerks can be embarrassing and difficult with Parkinson's," says LOUD Crowd group member MaryLou. "Sometimes things just don't come to me … I forget. But Jenn has encouraged me to keep trying, and speaking loudly and clearly has started to become more natural."
The coaching and encouragement from speech-language pathologist Jenn has helped each participant in different ways. Another group member Pat says, "I now recognize that I really have to push my voice when speaking to others. "I really appreciate how [Jenn] tells us to just start speaking when you can't remember something and it will eventually come to you. It can be embarrassing but the LOUD Crowd has helped me relax and not be self-conscious about my Parkinson's."
The LOUD Crowd technique is rooted in scientific research and originates from the Parkinson Voice Project. The hour-long sessions focus on voice training exercises that allow participants to feel more confident to try new things, engage with people, and live fully-functioning lives.
As Pat puts it, "Parkinson's can stop you from living the way you want to live. But you just have to take it day by day and get out there and interact with people."
Know someone who may benefit from joining a LOUD Crowd group? Call us at 831-645-7900 for more information.