My Activity Tracking
36.2
Hours
My target 19 Hours
I am Stepping up for Parkinson's this May.
This May 2025 I will be Stepping up for Parkinson's doing a 6am yoga class every day to raise awareness and fundraising to enable more specialist services.
If on an iphone scroll down to see my daily blog and photos which I will update every day.
Please consider a donation and with your generous support Parkinson's NSW will continue its mission to enhance the quality of life for people living with Parkinson's, their carers and families.
- Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder
- Another person is diagnosed every 40 minutes and there are 219,000 Australians living with Parkinson's
- 18% are of working age and there is no cure
Thank you.
My Fundraising
AMOUNT RAISED
$
TARGET
$2,250

My Activity
MINUTES ACTIVE
TOTAL MINUTES/TARGET
1,140

My Achievements

Updated Profile Image

First Donation Received

Shared My Page

Super Stepper

Halfway to Fundraising Goal

Reached Goal
My Updates

Day 31 of 6am yoga
Saturday 31st May

Day 30 of 6am yoga
Friday 30th May

Day 29 of 6am yoga
Thursday 29th May

Day 28 of 6am yoga
Wednesday 28th May

Day 27 of 6am yoga
Tuesday 27th May

Day 26 of 6am yoga
Monday 26th May
Parkinson’s is a movement and mood disorder typically presenting with symptoms such as slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, instability, tremor, depression and anxiety.
The number of people living with Parkinson’s in Australia may range from 84,000 to 212,000 (0.85% of population)*.
A diagnosis can occur at any age with the most common age of diagnosis being 65.
10% of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s are under the age of 45.
18% of people living with Parkinson’s are of working age i.e under 65 (this includes people diagnosed under 45).
Your donation enables Parkinson's NSW to continue its work to help people impacted by Parkinson's disease.

Day 25 of 6am yoga every day in May
Sunday 25th May
Parkinson’s disease, like any chronic disease, affects families as well as individuals.
Close family members often take on the role of caregiver as the disease progresses and, in many ways, are as constrained as the person with Parkinson’s disease. Carers can find themselves in a role that may increasingly isolate them from work, family and social activities as they dedicate themselves to care giving. While they may take on the role willingly, the fact is they too have suffered significant loss in terms of opportunities and the future they may have planned.
Carers need factual, credible information and support as much as the person afflicted by Parkinson’s disease. They need someone to talk to about their feelings as much as they might need practical advice. Caring appropriately for someone doesn’t always come naturally and carers may need to learn new skills. Communication and negotiation skills are particularly important in order to balance the needs of both carer and the person with Parkinson’s disease. Carers also need to look after their own health by getting enough sleep and exercise and prioritising some time for themselves.
Parkinson’s NSW can help with all this by providing information about the disease, counselling and access to support groups. Please call the InfoLine on 1800 644 189

Day 24 of 31 days of yoga
Saturday 24th May
A common misconception about Parkinson’s is that it only affects older people. Although the average age of onset is 65, Parkinson’s can affect adults of any age. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people living with Parkinson’s are of working age. This is known as Young Onset Parkinson’s.
The challenges faced by people living with Young Onset Parkinson’s may be different to those diagnosed in retirement age as many younger people are still working, studying, travelling and caring for their family. Being diagnosed with a chronic condition at a young age also presents some unique emotional challenges.
Consideration should be given to involving the allied health team (physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech and swallowing therapist) even at this early stage. Suggestions for therapy and home exercise programs will form a helpful basis for the years to come.
Parkinson’s is a long-term condition which is not considered life-threatening. With regular medical reviews, appropriate medication regimes, exercise and a positive attitude good quality of life is achievable. Ongoing support of family and friends and maintaining social contact is essential. Parkinson’s NSW InfoLine are here to help and support you. If you have any questions please call them on 1800 644 189.
Please consider a donation for a good cause if you are able.
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Day 23 - wettest day of the year
Friday 23rd May
Walking and balancing exercises, boxing, dancing, treadmill, bike, Tai Chi, yoga, Nordic or pole walking, and swimming are just a few of your options.
Before starting any exercise program, seek assessment by a neurological physiotherapist or exercise physiologist to recommend what levels you need to work at.
For more information regarding the benefits of exercise, types of exercise and exercise opportunities near you, contact the Parkinson’s NSW InfoLine team: 1800 644 189.

Day 22 of 6am yoga
Thursday 22nd May
Exercise is crucial for living well with Parkinson’s.
Second only to your medication.
It will help you carry out daily activities. Plus, it has the added benefit of keeping your body healthy and potentially free of other issues which may amplify your Parkinson’s.

Day 21 of 6am yoga
Wednesday 21st May
- Reduce muscle stiffness
- Improve mobility with better posture, balance and gait
- Decrease depression and anxiety
- Enhance memory
- Reduce fatigue
- Improve constipation
- Assist with slowed movement (bradykinesia)
- Improve speech, and reduce swallowing and drooling
- Improve writing and fine motor skills

Day 20 of 6am yoga
Tuesday 20th May
Exercise is a part of healthy living for everybody. However, for people living with Parkinson’s exercise should not be optional but essential.
Research data shows that exercise is beneficial for people living with Parkinson’s. It is second only to medication in terms of effectiveness in slowing the progression of the disease.
Exercise can benefit people living with Parkinson’s in two ways:
- Symptom management improves gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, strength and coordination.
- Slowing disease progression. Practicing movement, improves movement slowing symptoms.

back to 6May with Lou
Tuesday 20th May

Day 19 of 6am yoga
Monday 19th May

Day 18 - yoga every ay in May
Sunday 18th May

Day 17 of yoga every day in May as I Step Up
Saturday 17th May

Day 16 of 6am yoga every day in May
Friday 16th May

Day 15 of 6am yoga- heavy rain and cold
Thursday 15th May

Day 14 of 6am yoga
Wednesday 14th May
Anxiety and depression are estimated to affect up to half of all people with Parkinson’s disease at some stage. People are often understandably sad, pessimistic and anxious about their disease. They have the worry and stress of an uncertain future and they may face critical life events such as an early retirement from the workforce. Apart from these emotional reactions to their underlying disease, people with Parkinson’s disease may also have specific brain changes that increase their risk of depression.
Typical depressive symptoms such as low energy levels and problems with appetite and sleep, can be difficult to pick up in people affected by Parkinson’s disease. When present, anxiety and depression in people with Parkinson’s disease have a major negative influence on quality of life. They usually require treatment in their own right and do not simply respond to anti-Parkinsonian therapy. Please consider a donation to help.

day 13 of 6am yoga
Tuesday 13th May

Day 12 6am yoga for Parkinson's
Monday 12th May

Day 11 - pilates @ State Flow Huskisson
Monday 12th May

Day 10 daily yoga for Parkinson's
Monday 12th May

Day 9 6am yoga
Monday 12th May

Day 8 6am yoga every day in May for Parkinson's disease
Thursday 8th May

Day 7 of 6am yoga
Wednesday 7th May

Day 6 of 6am yoga
Tuesday 6th May

Day 5 Monday 6am yoga
Monday 5th May

Day 4 of 31 day yoga challenge for Parkinson's NSW
Monday 5th May

Day 3 of 6am yoga
Monday 5th May

Day 2 of 6am yoga
Friday 2nd May

Day 1 of 6am yoga
Friday 2nd May
Thank you to my Sponsors

$55.18
Ben Fung

$59.41
Adrienne Et Bastien
Wonderful efforts Gary, thank you for sharing this with us and enabling us to learn and support more 💛

$55.18
Craig And Ali
Great cause Gary. Well done.

$11.65
Shelly
Well done for such an amazing cause!

$43.60
Brian
You're doing a grand job Gary, absolutely tremendous effort for another year mate Cheers, Brian

$200
Mart Evans
Go Gazza !

$317.55
A Friend
Well done Gary.

$51
Neil Summerfield
Good on ya Gary. Keep it up.

$54.12
Sandrine Kljajic

$323
The Livingroom Coogee Beach
Inspirational work Gary! ! Thank you for your commitment to your yoga practice, your loyalty to The Livingroom and for your compassion for this important cause! Well done Gary!

$55.18
Karissa
Nice work Gary!!!

$55.18
Daniella Sloman-goldberg
great fundraiser

$106.12
Anita Ullmann
What a legend!

$126.62
Ben Fung

$33.15
Greg Toms

$81.30
Perry Papast
Gary you're so thoughtful and pleasure to donate to this. Well done!!

$20
Chrissie Alexander
Amazing work & human!

$50
Thruconnect

$55.18
Eva Stepankova

$55.18
Jayron Jaro

$55.18
James Robertson

$54.12
Romina Aquinchay
Good luck with hitting your target.

$51
Dani Abourjeili

$211
Michelle Hannon
Go Gary

$55.18
David Harrison
Good luck with fundraising and thanks for being so polite about me calling you Nick😀😀

$100
Sean Spence
Good onya G

$100
Robyn Mckern
Go Gary - great effort raising money for a fantastic cause!

$81.30
Gail Kenning
Our Team

Mirelle Brockett (C)
$294.47

Gary Cowlishaw
$2,516.38

Christine McGee
$81.30

Kellie Harrison
$91.61

Margaret Howard
$879.49

Kellie Nolan

Debbie & Bill McCarthy
$829.82

Kana & Piggie
$60.18

Dani
$1,364.91

Melanie-Jane Browning

Marsha Isbester
$261.77

Natalee Robotham

Emerson Whitton
$609.87

Shushann Movsessian

Rachel Jeffers
$576.29
