Parkinson’s Artists Featured in Holiday Sales
There is no shortage of creative talent in our Parkinson community, whether that has been a lifelong pursuit or a creative expression discovered as part of therapy. This month, we’re proud to feature two artists who are participating in holiday sales with their work. It’s not too late to provide a gift for that special someone.
Caroline Schellenberg was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in her 40s, forcing her to take early retirement from her work with Manitoba Housing. Caroline’s determined and indomitable spirit has allowed her to continue creating. Caroline’s family and friends say that “she never gives up until she absolutely has to … and then she finds another way.” This exhibit is a tribute to her spirit, and to a woman who has inspired all of those she has met along the way.
View Caroline’s online exhibit A Portrait of Perseverance online at Gallery in the Park.
Toronto’s famous One of a Kind show has gone online this year, closing soon on December 20. Their online sale featuring more than 700 Canadian creators features one of our own, Steve Iseman’s eLuminations exhibit, which features unique 3D printed art often with backlighting features. Steve shares:
“Perhaps not a born artist, art has found me through technology, and a humble interest has blossomed into passion. I have journeyed here along many routes and through many disciplines – law, science, computers, fatherhood – and each experience shapes my perspective in ways that can be contrasting, unifying and unique. I look for odd angles, discordant images and contrasting media. This is the spirit that I bring to my designs.”
The sale closes on December 20, view Steve’s work on the One of a Kind Online website.
Important Dates in December: Year End Donations and Holiday Closure
Please note that Parkinson Canada offices are officially closed from December 21 through January 4. However, there will be limited staff available to take donations by phone.
- Monday, December 21 through noon on Thursday, December 24: A Parkinson Canada representative is available to take donations over the phone at 800-565-3000
- Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28: Parkinson Canada phone lines are closed in observance of statutory holidays.
At this time of year we often receive questions about how to make donations that will count for the 2020 tax year to maximize your charitable deduction. In short: donations must be made in 2020 to count for that year, including envelopes post-marked by December 31.
Please find full details on how this applies to gifts through the mail, over the phone, or made online at Parkinson.ca.
Your Voice: CEO Listening Tour Report Shared
In April 2020, Parkinson Canada welcomed new President and CEO, Dr. Karen Lee, just weeks after the global outbreak of COVID-19. Throughout the summer Karen embarked on an 8-session virtual listening tour with participants from across Canada.
Participants shared their resilience, passion, and determination for the Parkinson’s community through sharing their experiences living with Parkinson’s, involvement in their communities, and commitment to living well with Parkinson’s. The insights that were gathered from the tour have been consolidated into this report and are grouped into five key theme areas.
- Including your voice in decision-making
- Improve connections in communities
- Advance changes in Parkinson’s care
- Drive research innovation
- Build brand and public awareness
Read the report on Parkinson.ca
Parkinson Canada Online Exercise
Staying active is key to managing both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. Parkinson Canada’s Lance Letain is a certified instructor for the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
Get Active with Lance, Dance Classes or PWR! Moves on YouTube Anytime
The article on Caroline Schellenberg’s Quilts was welcome. I, too, am a woman with PD who sews. I was born on a farm in Ontario in 1949!
I was retired as disabled at 57 due to Severe osteoarthritis and lung disease, and diagnosed with PD a few yrs later. I’ve gone from creating 6-8 new garments a yr to just a few small items, a Christmas apron, overalls for my two yr old grandnephew. Although my mind is unaffected by PD, my body and energy levels have been adversely diminished during the pandemic. If possible, I’d very much enjoy communicating with Caroline. Thank you.
I read the research that is being done for finding cure for PD. What amazes me is that all the scientist/researchers are working in isolation i.e. someone has an idea and they are trying to “learn about PD” and what is the “role of xx” in the PD. Dr Karen, can’t the researchers collaborate so that the information is shared between them rather than reinventing the wheel again which is partially the reason there has not been much progress. There are amazing collaborating tools available and I am sure if everyone worked together we would find solution sooner rather than working in isolation. Just take Covid19 vaccine as an example how the world worked together. It is very difficult for the patient and their caregivers that there is nothing new cure/prevention to offer after all these years of research.
Thanks for writing. In short, we agree. That’s what Canadian Open Parkinson Network is all about – fostering the collaboration that researchers already want to have through an open science platform with shared access to data. The network is just getting started, but it has great potential. https://copn-rpco.ca/