Announcements

October Meeting

Beginning in October, Missoula Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meetings will be held on the third Monday of the month instead of the 3rd Wednesday of the month.  The formal meeting will take place from 10:00am to 11:30am and attendees are welcome to stay after the meeting until 12:00pm to socialize.

Our next meeting will begin at 10:00am on Monday, October 16 at First Christian Church, 2701 South Russell Street in the “Fellowship Room".  Enter via the front (east) entrance, facing Russell Street.

Our October meeting will feature guest speaker Laurie Childs, Speech-Language Pathologist.

Speaker Topic:  Regaining our Voice, Speech Therapy for Patients with PD.

Background:  Laurie completed her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Montana and previously received a B.S. in Environmental Science at Western Washington University. She started her speech-language journey in 2019 at the University of Montana, knowing she wanted to work with Parkinson’s voice and communication patients. Laurie’s motivation for this degree was largely due to her experience with her mother and maternal grandmother, who were both diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).  Her therapy approach fosters a collaborative and supportive environment with functional skills/exercises that can be implemented outside the therapy room. 

She provides specialized and individualized Parkinson's disease or Parkinson's-like disorder communication services. PD affects people's voice and loudness, these are generally reversible with a specialist Speech Therapy program called LSVT LOUD.  Laurie is a passionate communication advocate, helping people live their best lives where they are heard and understood.

Website:  https://www.parkinsonsvoicetreatment.com/