Dick Webster of Freeport and Carmen Melito of Yarmouth bring slightly different perspectives to a Parkinson’s disease support group that they recently launched at the Casco Bay Branch of the YMCA of Southern Maine in Freeport.

Webster has had deep brain stimulation surgery that included implantation of a brain pacemaker, which he says helps prevent tremors and sleep disorders. He has problems with speech. Melito has issues with his balance and walking. Both share a goal for those who participate in the weekly group session at the YMCA.

“If they can walk away feeling better about themselves,” Webster said, “we feel we’ve done a good job.”

Webster and Melito meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays with a few people who have Parkinson’s, a neurological disorder, which can cause shaking and problems with movement, among other symptoms. It usually develops in people around age 60 or older. YMCA membership is not required to participate in the group, and people can simply walk in and join. The Y provides a conference room.

“We have the space, there’s a need, and the Y wants to help the community,” said volunteer coordinator Karen Tucker. “We’re all about the well-being of a person – the whole person. These guys met here and they felt there was a need and they came to us. We’d like to expand it. We’d like to have guest speakers come.”

Webster, 68, and Melito, 76, have known each other for a couple of years. Webster is a YMCA board member, and Melito was coming to the Y every day. Both were diagnosed with Parkinson’s five years ago.

“My point of view is that we don’t talk about Parkinson’s too much,” Melito said. “We have a fun time talking about everything and anything.”

Webster points out, though, that support group members compare notes.

“What we found out is that no two people have the same symptoms,” he said. “People can be freely open to their situations.”

Webster and Melito continue to exercise regularly at the facility. Both practice Tai Chi, a Chinese martial arts technique that helps with balance, and both use the Y’s exercise machines. Webster also gardens, and mows his lawn. Twice weekly, they are in physical therapy.

“We greatly encourage exercise because exercise is a way to delay the progression of the disease,” Webster said. “The better shape you’re in, the better you can overcome some of the symptoms.”

The two friends also tell others in the group that they can’t die from Parkinson’s.

Melito said he began to notice issues with his balance and walking prior to his diagnosis. For five years or more, he had been tripping and dragging his feet.

Webster said that handwriting had become a task.

“You’re in denial a lot,” he said.

Many well-known people, including Michael J. Fox, Linda Ronstadt and Muhammed Ali, have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and have worked to heighten awareness of the disease.

The Freeport Parkinson’s group sessions are more geared toward mental health.

“I think you have to have a really good mental attitude with Parkinson’s, because one of the things about Parkinson’s is depression,” said Webster, who also has problems with speaking and swallowing.

Webster and Melito, both married, also emphasize the importance of spousal attitudes.

“They have formed their own group without us, because their needs are different,” Webster said.

“They support one another because it’s very different for them,” Melito said. “My wife has to do a lot of things around the house she didn’t have to do, and she works a full day, too.”

Dick Webster, foreground, and Carmen Melito, organizers of a Parkinson’s disease support group at the Casco Bay Branch of the YMCA of Southern Maine, work out regularly there, as well.