AlphaCare Regional Day of Grifols in Stuttgart
Author
Heike Isensee, as published in Alpha1 Journal 2/2018
On November 10, 2018, an Alpha Care regional day took place at the Maritim Hotel in Stuttgart. The event's motto was "Conscious Breathing – Simply Singing." After a brief welcome by Ms. Mehmetaj from Medical Consulting, Ms. Marion Wilkens, Chairwoman of Alpha1 Germany, addressed the numerous Alpha-1 patients, their families, and other interested individuals in attendance. She spoke about the work, achievements, and goals of Alpha1 Germany, sparking the interest of several attendees who were previously unaware of the organization. Even those already familiar with Alpha1 Germany were brought up to date. The presentation proved enriching for everyone.
Following this, Ms. Eveline Skarek began her program. The trained vocal therapist, teacher, and multimedia art therapist, who also sings professionally, had put together a very informative and entertaining program of information and training. She primarily spoke about the function of the respiratory muscles, especially the diaphragm. Those present were able to experience how simply by adopting correct posture, the diaphragm is given more room to move, resulting in deeper breathing.
Therefore, the participants practiced sitting upright in a stable position – ideally on the edge of the chair, feet firmly on the ground, slightly pulling the navel inwards and keeping the head straight and not overextended.
The participants were instructed to maintain a posture that prevented the trachea from stretching and narrowing. In this breath-flow-optimized position, they then performed gentle yet highly effective exercises to stretch the accessory respiratory muscles. Furthermore, they experienced how concentrated abdominal breathing significantly increased oxygen intake, to the point that some even felt slightly dizzy.
The training aimed not only to prepare for relaxed singing. This posture, combined with correct breathing and proper use of pursed-lip breathing during exhalation, makes it easier for those with Alpha-1 dystrophy to better manage an acute emergency and improve the body's oxygen supply. In this way, everyone can be the best expert for their own health, even in crisis situations.
After everyone had warmed up with these exercises, a short break allowed for singing. Although many attendees initially had reservations about singing, (almost) everyone joined in with fun and enthusiasm. Participants could choose their favorite songs from a comprehensive list, and Ms. Skarek, accompanied by guitar, managed to transform the group into a real choir, which even ended up singing a four-part canon. Many thanks to Ms. Skarek for this memorable workshop.
The event was documented by a film crew to capture an impression of how well the program was received by those present for future events of this kind.
Following the event, the new self-help group of Alpha1 Germany for the Stuttgart region, led by Heike Isensee and Madline Mack, introduced itself. Many new acquaintances were made in the subsequent conversations, and numerous people expressed interest in future meetings. This bodes well for successful and stimulating events.
A heartfelt thank you to all the organizers of this event and also to the numerous enthusiastic and courageous participants who sang!
Heike Isensee
The AlphaCare Regional Days are a collaboration between Alpha1 Germany e.V. and Grifols Germany GmbH. The aim is to link theory and practice through interesting and informative topics. You can expect interactive exercises, informative presentations, and an intensive exchange with other affected individuals and their families.
You can find more information about AlphaCare on the official website.
