ALIGNMENT
After her Parkinson’s diagnosis at 56, Linda worried that her symptoms would mirror those of her mother – specifically, a loss of motor independence and a battle with anxiety and depression. Initially, she was devastated to think she may have to give up her dance classes, her most beloved activity. But to this day, dance gives Linda inspiration to help manage her Parkinson’s and her OFF periods.
Dance has given Linda a higher purpose: helping others with Parkinson’s discover the magic and joy of dance. While visiting her children in New York City, she learned of the “Dance for PD” program, a dance program specifically tailored and choreographed for people with Parkinson’s. In a room of 50 people, all in different stages of Parkinson’s, everyone moved to the music in their own time and in their own way. The class allowed her, and others with Parkinson’s, to experience the transformative power of dance. Linda, along with Invertigo Dance Theatre in Los Angeles, received teacher training from the instructors of “Dance for PD”, who developed an initiative to teach dancers worldwide how to develop a dance program geared for people with movement disorders. Shortly afterward, Invertigo developed its Los Angeles-based Dancing Through Parkinson’s program, of which Linda teaches numerous classes weekly. Linda also participates in many community programs and workshops designed to bring the joy and benefits of dance to people with Parkinson’s.
Linda experiences OFF periods and attributes her dance to helping her develop strategies to keep her movement strong, anxiety at bay, and her spirits high. Her symptoms of OFF periods typically include feeling “fractured and disjointed.” Linda also relies on the open and honest line of communication she has with her healthcare team. Discussing symptoms of OFF periods openly encourages her to maintain a positive attitude and reminds her that she can live with and manage her Parkinson’s.
The artwork created by Julie depicts both the magical, active side of Linda’s personality as well as the fragmented reality of her Parkinson’s. Some days Linda is able to dance and move freely, but other days her OFF periods make her feel fragmented and not herself. This piece illustrates Linda feeling both ways, dancing through her journey.
Linda Berghoff is a Dancing Through Parkinson’s teacher and an Invertigo Dance Theatre board member. Linda has danced recreationally all of her life, so even after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006, striking a blow at her most beloved activity, she continued to stay active and take dance classes. She is proud to collaborate with Invertigo to bring an invaluable program to people living with Parkinson’s.
Linda Berghoff is a Dancing Through Parkinson’s teacher and an Invertigo Dance Theatre board member. Linda has danced recreationally all of her life, so even after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006, striking a blow at her most beloved activity, she continued to stay active and take dance classes. While in New York City visiting her children, she found out about the Dance for PD® program and received teacher training with Invertigo Dance Theatre members, both in Brooklyn and Los Angeles. She is proud to collaborate with Invertigo to bring an invaluable program to people living with Parkinson’s.
Linda started the Dance for PD® class in Los Angeles, where she is a co-teacher and loves dancing and teaching in the community. She is deeply connected to her Jewish and Greek heritage and spreads her kindness and positivity through the community.
Linda Berghoff
Director Emeritus of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Pennsylvania Hospital
Matthew Stern, M.D., is the Parker Family Professor Emeritus of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Director Emeritus of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center. Dr. Stern has authored and co-authored numerous papers on Parkinson’s and related disorders and edited or coedited eight books.
Director Emeritus of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Pennsylvania Hospital
Matthew Stern, M.D., is the Parker Family Professor Emeritus of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Director Emeritus of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center. Dr. Stern has authored and co-authored numerous papers on Parkinson’s and related disorders and edited or coedited eight books. He has served on the executive committee of the American Academy of Neurology’s Movement Disorders Section and is a fellow of the American Neurological Association and American Academy of Neurology.
In addition to serving as an institutional investigator for numerous clinical trials, Dr. Stern has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator of many studies related to Parkinson’s and movement disorders. Dr. Stern serves on numerous consulting boards and has lectured throughout the world. He is an inaugural member of Penn’s Academy of Master Clinicians and is a past president of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, which has awarded him its President Distinguished Service Award and an honorary membership.
Matthew Stern, M.D.
Julie is an artist and craftswoman originally from New York whose mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She has experience in sculpting, toy making, molding, welding and painting. Julie is a pioneer in the art community for grassroots artists and she started her own full-service fine art design and fabrication studio in Los Angeles called “Pretty In Plastic.”
Julie is an artist and craftswoman originally from New York whose mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She has experience in sculpting, toy making, molding, welding and painting. Julie is a pioneer in the art community for grassroots artists and she started her own full-service fine art design and fabrication studio in Los Angeles called “Pretty In Plastic.”
Julie’s state-of-the-art studio offers full fabrication and design development services to artists, designers, advertising agencies and entrepreneurs, and includes an extensive list of clients such as Nike, Disney and Nickelodeon. Julie was featured for her work in a profile by LA Weekly.
Julie B.
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