The Accidental Advocate
Helen Stratton and her husband Lewis found themselves as full-time RVers in the first 14 years of their retirement, traveling and making new friends across the country. Unforeseen issues made such a lifestyle impractical in the longer term, however, leading the pair to start researching retirement communities. Cross Keys Village rose to the top among the villages under consideration in Pennsylvania and Maryland, partly due to the value we offer, and partly due to wide-ranging opportunities to volunteer on campus.
During volunteer orientation on campus in 2018, Helen met villager Daune Wynn, an encounter that would change her life. Daune had started a small Parkinson’s support group in 2016. Her vision at the time was “To provide a social network. To educate and support those touched by Parkinson’s disease. To provide resources on how to live well with Parkinson’s. To share and learn from each other through compassion and humor.” Daune was looking for a volunteer to help maintain records and library materials. Having strong organization and computer skills, Helen signed up. (As for Lewis, he also signed up and became one of our faithful Grounds volunteers helping with recycling and lawn mowing, keeping the 334-acre campus looking its best.)
“Like so many who hear Parkinson’s my first thought was tremors,” shares Helen. “I felt ignorant about the disease, and I didn’t know anyone living with it.” Helen had been keen on research her entire life, and pretty soon she turned into CKV’s go-to resource for Parkinson’s information. “Years ago, there was not enough information about Parkinson’s—today, there is an overabundance! I sort the articles I receive almost daily from various sources, and then I share the valuable content with other members of the group.”
In 2019 Helen approached the CKV Marketing department and asked about having a Parkinson’s dedicated page on the CKV website. The resulting Parkinson’s Support page has been instrumental in expanding the group’s reach outside CKV’s walls. Attendance at the Parkinson’s Thursday group has grown to near 30 each month, allowing Helen to invite knowledgeable guests among local service providers to speak on therapies, equipment and tips to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. In 2020, group founder Daune “retired” and entrusted Helen with facilitating the group. “If the education seminar or peer support helps one person each month, then it’s Mission Accomplished!” Helen says. “I am grateful for everyone who assists: the planning group, attendance monitors, those who arrange the room, greet speakers, make calls, create name tags, ensure the A/V equipment runs smoothly… and most of all those who attend and share their personal journey generously in order to help others—for they are the heart of the Parkinson’s Thursday group.”
Asked whether she could have given as much of herself to another cause besides Parkinson’s, Helen hesitates before answering “No. The Parkinson’s group is special to my heart because they have a devastating diagnosis that requires knowledge and support in order to live their best life. Many do not have the capacity to research and sort out science and fact from fads and fiction. I can help with that, as well as provide the venue for education, support, sharing, laughing and compassion.”