Valma Scott was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over 10 years ago. She is 76 years of age and married to child hood sweetheart, Jim for 60 years. They have 6 children including 2 sets of twins and now 17 grandchildren.

Val worked with and Alexander technique New York teacher A. few years ago. They wanted to share their journey with the Alexander Technique and hope their experience will inspire other people with Parkinson’s disease to explore the Technique for themselves. Jim found the English Alexander Technique and Parkinson’s disease study on the Internet and with Val decided to investigate the Technique. Val’s wellbeing and quality of life was their main concern.

A typical day for Val is confinement to a wheel chair unable to stand, dependent on Jims support. She is hoisted by crane from bed to chair. Val had both knees replaced over 30 years ago and bears horrific scars and no kneecaps. Riding a bike and walking until a few years ago, her knees finally were so painful she ground to a stop. Further surgery is impossible because of the nervous disability bought about with the Parkinson symptoms. In one sense Val’s problem with her knees is unrelated to Parkinson’s disease, but in another it is entirely relevant to the issues she faces. When people have additional problems to their Parkinson’s symptoms these are still part of the ‘whole person’s’ experience of daily life.

When Val first started taking her lessons she had bladder and bowel problems, a collapsed head and neck, difficulty speaking and swallowing, fear of falling, tremors, poor circulation in her feet and she couldn’t stand.

When she started with the Alexander Technique NYC teacher she received lessons on a weekly basis was short breaks of two or three weeks during the holidays. The work involved mainly table work, which was extended to more free work on the floor and on a chair over a period of months.

After almost one year Val was able to sit unsupported, tie her own shoes, crawl (pull herself up into crawling), swallow without using a straw, talked easily, stand easily with good balance and support, no more bowel or bladder problems, increased self-esteem and reduced or discontinued most of her Parkinson’s medications. But the most wonderful thing of all is she can now hold her own great grandchild!

Val still continues to work with her teacher. The experience for Val is equally if not more important as she has said herself that her day-to-day life experience and well-being has improved.

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Tags: Alexander technique Brooklyn, Alexander Technique New York, Alexander Technique NY, Alexander Technique NYC

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