Parkinson’s Support Group in Cookeville

Those living with Parkinson’s Disease in Cookeville and the surrounding areas can find a place of fellowship with the Peterson’s Foundation for Parkinson’s support group.

The Cookeville branch was started two years ago to help educate and give support to Parkinson’s patients, caregivers, and other Parkinson’s service people. Parkinson’s patient and Cookeville PFP facilitator Pat Handlson said the group is an excellent resource.

“We listen to a variety of speakers who tell us about different things that are happening with Parkinson’s research, exercises and other therapies people can use to keep Parkinson’s at bay,” said Handlson

Handlson said that in addition to receiving expert information, the greatest part of the group is the network of fellowship and information-sharing formed.

“We discover that a lot of the symptoms that we have are shared by other people. There are lots of symptoms-nobody has all of them- but you might have six or seven that somebody elkse has and say ‘Oh that happens to me too.’ And so you get some tips on ‘how did you deal with it’ or ‘where do you go to find somebody to help,'” said Handlson.

Handlson said that one of the group’s main goals is to make sure patients like himself know they’re not alone.

“That aspect of fellowship is really critical. We’re trying to reach out to folks who may not know about the group to say ‘you don’t have to be alone in this fight.’ So that camaraderie is pretty important,” said Handlson.

The Parkinson’s support group meets the first Tuesday of every month at the Caney Fork Baptist Church. The option to attend via Zoom is also available.