March Events and Updates: Parkinson Canada hosting international research forum, upcoming webinars and more

Research, Clinical and Other Emerging Trends in Parkinson’s Meeting

On March 26 and 27 Parkinson Canada is hosting a virtual meeting with leading Canadian researchers, clinicians and patients to discuss the state of Parkinson’s research in Canada, and the Parkinson Canada Research Program’s role in the international research landscape.

The purpose of this meeting is to engage a diverse group of stakeholders to provide insight into:

• Current and emerging trends in research and clinical care in Parkinson’s.
• Strategies to leverage our research investments and increase our impact, possibly through partnerships with other Parkinson’s organizations. 

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting new initiative. 

Join our East Coast Kitchen Party

The East Coast of Canada has a long-standing tradition of family and friends gathering around the kitchen table, sharing great music, food and drink! With a pair of spoons, a fiddle, guitar or banjo, the room comes alive with singing, laughter and a feeling of community connection like no other! 

Since the in-person gatherings have been put on hold, we have seen these gatherings move “virtually” with the emergence of online support groups, exercise classes, health choirs, and everything else but the kitchen sink. 

We will be featuring musicians from all over Atlantic Canada and all walks of life as well as some incredible musical talents from our own Parkinson Community.  We will also be sharing East Coast traditions and stories. 

Disclaimer: Toe-tapping, handclapping, feet stomping, and singing may occur at any time!

Learn more and register

Shedding Light on Cognitive Changes in Parkinson’s Disease: Webinar Recording Available

In this time of uncertainty, many are experiencing increased challenges in their daily journey of living well with Parkinson’s. Social and physical isolation, changes in daily routines, and disruptions in medical appointments and services have led to an increase in stress for many.  Care Partners have shared their own struggles and increased stress levels in assisting their partners.  Many have asked, “How can I best support my Partner?

Dr. Clarkson walked us through some of these cognitive changes to gain a better understanding of what is at play.

The recording from this March 10 webinar is available at: https://youtu.be/dkVG-ZZMuJ0. 

Guten Appétit: Something’s Cooking for Parkinson’s

Parkinson Canada is proud to support Guten Appétit: Live virtual cooking classes and dinner parties with chef Anna Jahn as host and chef. Five themed meals, sommelier’s wine picks and stimulating company.

Cook along with Anna, learn something new, and engage in dialogue. A great opportunity to engage the whole household in a fun, accessible, and collaborative cooking experience.  

Proceeds and extra donations for each class will be donated to Parkinson Canada and other local charities.  

Saturday, April 24, 6 to 8 pm: Marseille is calling: Moules Frites. In support of Parkinson Canada.

Learn more and register

New Music Video Features Parkinson Canada Peterborough Chapter

A throwback rock & roll song from Canadian singer/songwriter Taylor Abrahamse is aimed at creating awareness of Parkinson’s and a local community exercise group. “Out Like A Light,” found on Abrahamse’s 2020 self-titled debut, sounds as vintage as it does immediate, harkening back to classic rock, while feeling just modern enough to cut through the pop hits of today. 

The video features Abrahamse and his mother attending a local TKO boxing program, an initiative that helps people with Parkinson’s manage their symptoms and improve their mobility. “This video is very special to me, as it features my mother and how she uses boxing to help with her Parkinson’s Disease. I’m glad to be doing something for the Parkinson’s community that has helped my mom out so much, and I’m so proud of her for finding the courage to appear in the video. We took a tough situation and made lemonade, and I’m glad to see the positive impact the video is already having for people with Parkinson’s and their families,” he shares. 

Watch the official video for “Out Like a Light” on Taylor’s YouTube.

Ralph Richardson celebrates 250 days walking

Ralph Richardson jumped into our collective minds in early April last year, and he’s still going. He celebrated his 250^th day walking in mid-February and marked the occasion with a creative winter SuperWalk display. #GoRalphGo

Parkinson Canada SuperWalk announces annual awards

Ralph’s first-100 days walking earned him the honour of ‘National Hero’ for Parkinson Canada SuperWalk during the walk campaign last year. Since then, two peer nominated awards have been acknowledged.

We’d like to congratulate Team Boxing4Health, who raised nearly $100,000 in 2020 and are the winners of the Volunteer(s) of the Year Award; and Kevin Farmer whose 12 hour drum marathon raised more than $10,000 in support of the walk as the Walker of the Year.  
 
Thank you everyone for your support. The SuperWalk campaign opens in early May this year.

Dancing with Parkinson’s highlighted in film L’Allegro Movement Project

Captured on film by a team of young filmmakers working with Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist and director Ella Cooper, L’Allegro Movement Project tells the remarkable story of what happened when members of Toronto’s Dancing with Parkinson’s organization, local elementary school students, and teaching artists from Mark Morris Dance Group’s ground-breaking Dance for PD® program worked together to create a transformative exploration of choreographer Mark Morris’ acclaimed masterpiece L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato.

Join the global Dance for PD community April 25 from 2:00-3:15 p.m. ET as we screen Cooper’s film and invite community participants from New York and Toronto to share what dancing L’Allegro meant to them (the film will be available for screening all week). The event will also feature the world premiere of The Mountains Project, which joins more than 100 people living with Parkinson’s together in a virtual adapted staging of a section of Morris’ dance.

This event is part of a series of performances, lectures and classes celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Mark Morris Dance Group and is offered in partnership with Dancing with Parkinson’s Canada, Canada’s National Ballet School, Dance for Parkinson’s Network Canada and Parkinson Canada.

Go here or call 800-957-1046 x10 to register.

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