Parkinson Communication Lab

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Parkinson Communication Lab

Helping people with Parkinson’s find their voice. Online groups, worldwide. 🎙️

08/28/2026

Just spreading the word on my VIRTUAL and In-person Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. classes! Explaining why it is an important tool to help with accountability, which can help take the place of motivation. And finally why changes in voice, speech and swallowing occur with Parkinson’s disease. Thank you for having me, PJ Parkinson's! The Maryville support group was a blast to hang with today! My in-person class is Wednesdays at 3:30 at Black Dog Fitness.

08/17/2026

🗣️✨
If you or someone you love has Parkinson’s, speech therapy isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a game changer. Here’s the receipts:

🎤 Voice & Speech — People saw up to a 143% jump in conversational turn taking skills, 55-87% saw louder& clearer speech, and a 22% reduction in the “mumbling” voice PD can cause (dysarthria).

🍽️ Swallowing — This one’s huge: therapy cut aspiration risk by 61% and made eating safer AND more enjoyable (22.7% boost in meal pleasure — because eating should still be fun!).

🧠 Cognition & Quality of Life — Multidisciplinary SLP care improved memory/thinking skills, cut anxiety by 10% and depression by 8%, and made caregivers feel way more equipped (93% increase in PD knowledge for care partners).

📈 The real kicker? The more you work the more progress you will see! Patients who made big gains got just a few more hours of therapy than those who didn’t — this stuff works, and it doesn’t take forever to see results.

Bottom line: Parkinson’s changes how you speak, eat, and connect — but addressing these skills through skilled Speech therapy and then programs like Voice Fit can change that trajectory. 💛

(Source: ASHA infographic on SLP treatment outcomes for PD)

08/14/2026

This week in my Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. class at Black Dog Fitness we exercised our voice, moved our body, practiced utilizing intent, and practiced using inflection when speaking with intent! We ALSO talked about other non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s including working memory and executive function difficulties. We took time to share strategies that work to compensate for these cognitive changes. As someone with ADHD I am no stranger to these difficulties either! This morning I felt extra stuck… even though I do the same thing every morning I stood in the kitchen and had NO idea what to do first. Writing myself a to-do list in these moments, even for routines I have done 1 million times helps me get unstuck. Voice Fit isn’t just about Voice… it is about connection and education! We all learned something new (including myself) and helped each other with tools to improve independence! I am already excited for next week!!!! Come join us Wednesdays at 3:30!!!

08/06/2026

What an INCREDIBLE turnout for the first VOICE FIT (Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. ) class at Black Dog Fitness !!!! We worked hard, had fun and learned A LOT! Working your voice muscles, practicing the ability to speak with INTENT and find the word you want to say… in a group setting. The group wellness piece that has been missing from Parkinson’s care!!!! Thank you Kara Heckerman, CCC-SLP | Neuro-Informed Speech & Cognitive Care for creating such a great program and trusting me to make it my own!!!
I cannot wait for next week!!! Come buy a class package and join me at Black Dog Fitness, Wednesdays at 3:30!!!

07/29/2026

🗣️ Knoxville friends! Do you or someone you love have Parkinson’s disease?

Join me for a FREE Voice Fit™ Demonstration Class
📅 Wednesday, August 5
🕞 3:30 PM
📍 Black Dog Fitness | Knoxville, TN

Voice Fit™, developed by Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. and Kara Heckerman, CCC-SLP | Neuro-Informed Speech & Cognitive Care, is an neuro-informed group wellness class designed to complement (not replace) speech therapy.

Together we’ll work on:
✔️ Speaking louder and more clearly
✔️ Breath support
✔️ Cognitive skills
✔️ Movement
✔️ Swallowing awareness
✔️ Social connection

If you know someone with Parkinson’s in the greater Knoxville area, please share this post! I’d love to see you there.

✨ Not in Knoxville or prefer to participate from home?
I also lead two virtual Voice Fit™ classes each week through Parkinson Communication Lab- 🔗 in my bio.

Become a member and use code FREE for your first month free.

07/24/2026

Please come join me on Wednesday 8/5/26 at 3:30 Black Dog Fitness for a FREE demonstration Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. class!

Voice Fit™ is a class created by Kara Heckerman, CCC-SLP | Neuro-Informed Speech & Cognitive Care designed to complement (not replace) Speech Therapy aimed at improving and or maintaining voice volume, communication, cognition and swallowing for those with Parkinson’s Disease.

Approximately 90% of people with Parkinson’s will experience difficulties in these areas and only 4-5% get help🤯

Black Dog Fitness is located at 9965 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN

I can’t wait to see you there!

07/24/2026

Please come join me on Wednesday 8/5/26 at 3:30 Black Dog Fitness for a demonstration Voice Fit™ | Strong Voice. Together. class!

Voice Fit™ is a class created by Kara Heckerman, CCC-SLP | Neuro-Informed Speech & Cognitive Care designed to complement (not replace) Speech Therapy aimed at improving and or maintaining voice volume, communication, cognition and swallowing for those with Parkinson’s Disease.
Approximately 90% of people with Parkinson’s will experience difficulties in these areas and only 4-5% get help🤯

Black Dog Fitness is located at 9965 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922

See you there!!

07/18/2026

Do you hear “What?” or “I can’t hear you” — even though it feels like you’re yelling? 🎙️

That’s the soft voice that may come with Parkinson’s. You may have already gone to voice therapy, but your voice is just like your body — it needs regular exercise to stay healthy. If you’ve never had voice exercise, this is a great place to start. Everyone with Parkinson’s can benefit from voice exercise to improve or maintain voice, communication, and swallowing!

Voice Fit is coming to Black Dog Fitness to help you be heard. 💛

Join us for a free community Voice Fit class — no sign-up needed, just walk in.

📍 Black Dog Fitness, 9965 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922
🗓️ Wednesday, 8/5/26
🕞 3:30 PM

Come solo, or bring your care partner — every ability level is welcome.

07/18/2026

Do you hear “What?” or “I can’t hear you” — even though it feels like you’re yelling? 🎙️

That’s the soft voice that can come with Parkinson’s. You may have already gone to voice therapy, but your voice is just like your body — it needs regular exercise to stay healthy. If you’ve never had voice exercise, this is a great place to start. Everyone with Parkinson’s can benefit from voice exercise to improve or maintain voice, communication, and swallowing!

Voice Fit is coming to Black Dog Fitness to help you be heard. 💛

Join us for a free community Voice Fit class — no sign-up needed, just walk in.

📍 Black Dog Fitness, 9965 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922
🗓️ Wednesday, 8/5/26
🕞 3:30 PM

Come solo, or bring your care partner — every ability level is welcome.

Address

Knoxville, TN

Website

http://parkinsoncommunicationlab.com/

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