Gary’s Guys is for men who have Parkinson’s disease or are caregivers of PD patients

By JILL SHERMAN, DAILY SUN

THE VILLAGES — The denial that can come with the diagnosis of a disease often makes a person feel lonely.

Gary Ingram ultimately found comfort when he sought the company of people who, like Ingram, have Parkinson’s disease.

“I didn’t want to go to a support group because I didn’t want to be around sick people,” Ingram said. “(I found) just the opposite is true.”

There is strength in numbers. Ingram, who has had PD for 11 years, learned that discussing issues and sharing information gives PD patients the determination to stand up to their disorder.

All of this bolsters the devoted caregivers of PD patients, too.

“It helps me understand more what’s happening with my wife,” Village of Woodbury resident Sylvan Peterson said. “There’s a wealth of information these people have.”

Ingram is the organizer of Gary’s Guys, a men’s group for PD patients and the caregivers of PD patients, which meets every Monday morning at Chatham Recreation Center. Attendees drink coffee, eat doughnuts and talk.

“It’s just for the guys,” said Ingram, a Village of Chatham resident. “You have a sense that you can say anything you want in front of the men.”

According to Ingram, there are about 16 men in the group. They come from a variety of backgrounds — there is a nuclear physicist, a Corvette designer and a school administrator among them — illustrating that PD is nondiscriminatory about whom it strikes.

“These are down-to-earth guys,” Ingram said.

Like the man who formed the group, members are trying to face PD with positive attitudes.

“They’re just upbeat guys,” Ingram said.

Village of Glenbrook resident Frank Hof said he never feels apprehensive about the gatherings.

“This tends to be very informal,” Hof said. “There is no agenda.”

Because he is a caregiver for his wife, Hof appreciates the chance to discuss the problems he faces at home and learn how others have solved similar situations. It is also uplifting just to get some fresh air.

“Being a caregiver is a full-time job,” Hof said.

Gary’s Guys offers a two-hour time frame of socializing every week, which does a world of good for everyone involved.

“If you have Parkinson’s, you get kind of down and start isolating yourself,” said Ingram, who was bedridden for three months a couple of years ago. “(Gary’s Guys) gets you out (of the house).”

Newcomers are always welcome to join Gary’s Guys.

Male residents of The Villages who either have Parkinson’s disease or are caregivers of people with Parkinson’s disease are invited to join Gary’s Guys at 9 a.m. Mondays at Chatham Recreation Center. Call the recreation center at 753-4570 for information.

Jill Sherman is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be contacted at 753-1119, ext. 9253, or jill.sherman@thevillagesmedia.com.