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Rowdy Readers
GROUP VOICE THERAPY AND READING TO CHILDREN FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
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We are currently accepting sign-ups for our spring 2020 class, please call 541-600-2028 ext 1 prior to March 30. Dates below
With support from the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Northwest Chapter and the Stuart Family Charitable Trust, we have created a program that connects people with Parkinson's Disease (PWPD) with children, it improves their communication, and participation. What makes them Rowdy Readers? Read below!
At a Glance
Rowdy Readers is a new, six-week program that focuses on improving communication and community involvement for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PWPD).
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Members rehearse reading skills and voice exercises for four weeks with a speech-language pathologist, then visit with school children to read them story books. PWPD who struggle to communicate can strengthen their voice by completing daily exercises with the aid of an SLP, making it possible to communicate in a more engaging way. Reading to young children is a great way to practice this. What makes it Rowdy? The exercises include getting louder, more expressive, and speaking with more emphasis. In the end, this helps to improve intelligibility.
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The children we visit also benefit from this program by being exposed to literacy and people with differing abilities, and interacting with an older generation.
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If you would like to sign up for the next class or partner with us to read to your classroom, please contact us. There are currently two classes a year.
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Cost: Thanks to the support from the American Parkinson's Disease Association Northwest, registration is $42.00 (50% off)
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Where: Hilyard Community Center in Eugene, OR
Spring 2020 Class Dates:​
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April 27th: 2:00-3:30
May 4: 2:00-3:00
May 11: 2:00-3:00
May 18th: 2:00-3:00
May 25: unknown time, school visit
June 1: unknown time, school visit
"The RR experience was both fun and informative. The teachers at the school selected were enthusiastic and seemed to appreciate the effort; they were quick to comment that the kids enjoyed the experience and that they would welcome its continuation and expansion. I, for one, would be happy to do it again and encourage others in our PD cohort to participate as well."
-John Stuart
"I enjoyed hands-on, one-on-one training. Excellent instruction! Reminded me how out of practice in speaking with intent [I am], nice encouragement and I could see my improvement as the time passed. [I] really needed to be more gregarious and to open up, thanks! Good to be with other PD people.”
-Rowdy Readers participant
