MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OCTOBER 2026

I write this on an odd, windy, grey day – a rarity in the desert that puts me in mind of herbal teas, cozy blankets, pumpkins, squash, and all things fall. Important to note – the outside temp is 90 degrees. But with the office AC running and an active imagination, I can almost pretend the normal seasonal cycle is upon us and a broomed witch or two will come flying out of the clouds with a haunting cackle to spray a shower of candy corn upon our frigid faces.

How does the power of imagination help YOU as you navigate Parkinson’s? Maybe you join Roger Moore in his monthly Mindfulness classes to ground yourself in calm settings and build self-hypnosis techniques to work through pain. Maybe you’re navigating hallucinations with your loved one and you’ve decided to pretend the cat they see in the corner IS there, and is a beloved family pet.

Maybe, like me, you daydream about a near future in which Parkinson’s is as treatable as the flu or the common cold.

For now, that’s still a daydream. But we don’t have to imagine the fun treats and special invites coming your way over the next month or two. You can, of course, check out our full calendar of October support groups on the back page of the physical newsletter or at parkinsonsresource.org/calendar. You’ll see our usual lineup, plus the brand new LGBTQ Support Group in Palm Springs on the second Tuesday of the month.

And mark your calendar now for Don Cavanaugh Day on November 15th – a special celebration of a very special man at the Blue Coyote Grill in Palm Springs, with proceeds from the day’s sales benefiting PRO.

What we’re most excited about is a brand new collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation for ‘Mind, Mood, and Motion.’ This educational event on the afternoon of November 9th will feature Dr. John Legge as well as physical therapists and people living with Parkinson’s to share the importance of movement in Parkinson’s and explore creative ways to incorporate it into your life today. Register at Parkinson.org/PalmDesert.

It is, officially, spooky season, which means Halloween candy. So before you move on with your day, I wanted to share a few quick notes on the unique connection between sugar and Parkinson’s (it’s always something, right?). In fact, people with Parkinson’s often experience stronger cravings for sweets – and tend to eat more sugar – than the average person.

This is partly because of that missing dopamine that characterizes Parkinson’s. Dopamine is involved in movement, mood, and memory, but it also plays a big role in reward. Dopamine is part of the brain’s reward system, and sugary foods can trigger a dopamine release. In short, sugar feels rewarding.

Other causes include stress and mood or Parkinson’s medications like pramipexole and other dopamine agonists can cause sugar cravings

I’m not going to tell you to cut out sugar entirely. However, it’s important to note that excess sugar consumption has been linked to fatigue, brain fog, and energy slumps that worsen Parkinson’s symptoms. Try focusing your sugar intake on fresh fruits and berries instead of refined sugar, or pace yourself with thoughtful portion control.

And when my imaginary witches come through with their candy corn showers…well, you can trust that I’m looking the other way.

All my best,

Eileen Lynch