Jeff Seckendorf

Is it uncomfortable to have a call with a mentor who you do not know? There are two sides to this question so, the answer is, “It depends.” On one hand, chatting with a supportive friend or family member may be easy, however the downside is you may not hear the absolute truth, as people

We hear, almost daily, about gratitude. The mentors are grateful for you. They are grateful they can help you with your Parkinson’s journey, and they are grateful for the joy and satisfaction they get from their conversations with you. And we hear from you, the mentees about gratitude. Grateful to know you are not alone,

There is a saying in education that if the student learns ten things, then the teacher learns one hundred things. The PASD mentors have stepped up for a variety of reasons but the overriding theme, when asking a mentor, “Why do you do it?” is a desire to give back. Almost all the mentors have

A few years ago we created a short video about the PASD Good Start Program and our beloved board member, Kathy Bruyere, who passed in 2020 and was a long-time care partner for her husband who had Parkinson’s, summed it up in one sentence: “You cannot do it alone, and you don’t have to do

“You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.” Cesar Chavez  It’s a Sign of Strength The reason for starting the PASD Mentor Program was simple. We saw the need to create an easy, accessible way for anyone living with Parkinson’s to get outside help. And in offering a program that can help you,

Mentors Bring Added Value If you sit down with any marketing consultant, the first thing they ask is, “What is your USP?” Your “unique selling proposition.” In marketing terms, it’s what makes you better; what makes you stand out. Often companies choose phrases like, “best ever,” “highest value,” “lowest cost.” In many cases, companies use

When Should You Call a Mentor? At a meeting last week of Parkinson’s support group leaders, the topic came up of when to call a mentor. At the onset, the answer to this question looks easy: “Whenever you need help.” But as the discussion continued, it became clear that prevention, rather than reaction, is a

When we created the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego Mentor Program, the goal was simple: to give our Parkinson’s community a team of people to talk to. Often, as humans, we believe we are strong; that we can do anything; that we can succeed on our own; that asking for help can be a sign

Going it alone. Toughing it out. Gritting your teeth. Do you have to go it alone? Tough it out? Or grit your teeth? Living Life with Parkinson’s One of the most complex parts of anyone’s journey with Parkinson’s is that every day can produce a new surprise. How you felt yesterday may not inform how

If you are newly diagnosed, or have been living with Parkinson’s for years, or if you are a care partner for someone with Parkinson’s and you need someone to talk to, the PASD mentors are ready for you. Here’s How It Works Step one is to identify a mentor. Use the search filters to choose