Check-in & Resource Fair start at 9:00 a.m. EST (for in-person attendees)
Living with Parkinson’s can be challenging, but there are many things you can do to maintain and improve your quality of life. This program will provide you with information to help you find the balance between a proactive approach and wondering what lies ahead.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family members, friends and the community. Lunch will be served to those joining us in person.
Speakers: TBA
For in-person attendees: In-person check-in and vendor visits start at 9:00 a.m. EST.
For virtual attendees (via Zoom): The livestream starts at 9:30 a.m. EST.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
¿Cuáles son las etapas de la enfermedad de Parkinson?
La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) afecta a las personas de diferentes maneras. No todos experimentarán todos los síntomas de la EP y, si lo hacen, no necesariamente experimentarán esos síntomas en el mismo orden o con la misma intensidad.
Aunque los síntomas y la progresión de la enfermedad son únicos para cada persona, conocer las etapas que clásicamente se describen en el Parkinson puede ayudarle a lidiar con los cambios a medida que ocurren.
The holiday season can be an exciting and joyful time for many. However, for some it can be filled with unforeseeable challenges and fears. Maintaining mindful awareness is a key part of getting through challenging conversations or the stress associated meal preparation, hosting a gathering, and seeing friends and family for the first time in a while. Today’s mindfulness practice will focus on gratitude and self-compassion.
Speaker
Danielle R. Carns, PsyD
Director, Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder Program
Clinical Neuropsychologist, Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
In sessions with Dr. Rush, we explore different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Taylor Rush, Ph.D. - Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Managing a chronic condition can bring up feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. In this session we will think together about the cultivation of equanimity through mindfulness practice and offer a meditation specifically designed to build equanimity in the face of life’s most pressing challenges.
Speaker
Nico Hase, PhD, Author, Meditation Teacher
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Parenting with Parkinson’s: 7 Tips to Help Kids Flourish
Parenting is one of the most important jobs people with children will ever have. It is also one of the hardest. Raising a family while living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or supporting a spouse who does, creates unique challenges. Building a stable, emotionally supportive environment can help you focus on the joys of parenthood while ensuring your children thrive. The tips that follow can help.
1. Build Trust
A child can detect when something has changed within the family. If they aren’t told what it is, they can suspect the worst. Parents tend to want to protect children from difficult conversations. However, Parkinson’s affects the whole family. Ongoing, honest communication builds trust.
When you’re ready, talking openly about your diagnosis, while using clear, simple, age-appropriate language, can minimize fears of the unknown and help everyone adjust. Choose a time when you won’t be interrupted, are able to speak calmly and can fully answer any questions. Talking sooner, rather than later, eases worry and helps the whole family begin to navigate the future — together.
Children are aware of the impact Parkinson’s is having on the parent living with the disease and the rest of the family. Discuss how Parkinson’s might change day-to-day living. Look inward to find hope and channel positivity. Navigating Parkinson’s together can bring a family closer while teaching self-sufficiency and empathy. It can also help children learn healthy ways to cope with life’s unpredictability.
Talk about how you are taking charge where you can — through creating healthy habits, staying active or finding support — and suggest small ways your children can help at home. Daily responsibilities can empower children with a way to contribute, giving them some control.
Taking action in bigger ways, such as volunteering together as a family, can give them a sense of pride. Find events you can attend as a family, such as your local Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s.
3. Create Stability
A sense of stability is an essential part of a healthy childhood. It creates a foundation for future emotional, social and physical well-being. When parenting with Parkinson’s, it’s important to maintain the style of parenting you practiced before diagnosis and to stay actively involved in your child’s life. Continuing the same values, rules, expectations and boundaries creates consistency, which helps children succeed.
Continue to provide direction and structure. A daily, but flexible, routine benefits the whole family. Some days, symptoms, appointments or activities may interfere with what you have planned. However, overall predictability helps children feel secure.
4. Maintain the Magic
Childhood is a time of wonder. Children are learning about the world for the first time. The enchantment of seeing the world through their eyes offers a rare kind of happiness.
While Parkinson’s may change daily life, encourage your child to pursue new experiences, interests and hobbies. Continue to provide everyday family life while involving your child in what interests them. Make time to support their efforts.
5. Enlist Emotional Support
Navigating the obstacles of growing up, whether it be finding one’s identity, a friendship feud or a difficult teacher or class, can be hard. Occasional feelings of sadness, anger or worry are not uncommon.
Processing the changes and emotions that come with a parent’s PD diagnosis can be more challenging. Children can experience a range of tough feelings, including social isolation, anger, depression and anxiety, grief and a heavy sense of duty.
As a parent, you know your child best. If you notice emotional changes that last more than a few weeks, connect your child with someone they can talk to about their feelings. Your family doctor can offer a referral to a counselor. Sharing your diagnosis with educational staff can offer your child support during the school day. A trusted teacher or coach can help you keep an eye on your child’s emotional well-being outside of the home.
6. Practice Self-Care
Everyone wants the best for their children. To meet their needs, make time to care for your own physical and emotional health. Stay on top of your neurologist appointments, build your care team to help manage progressing symptoms, work on getting enough sleep, eating healthy and pursuing your interests.
Children learn a lot about coping from their parents. Model healthy coping by sharing your honest feelings appropriately as well as using strategies to cope like exercise and connecting with friends.
Leaning on family, friends and neighbors for help and support can help you create space for your needs. Finding a support group can help you connect with others, many of whom may also be parents, and find shared understanding. Practicing patience with yourself, your partner and your children, can help you manage stress.
Parkinson’s is progressive. Future concerns may look different from today’s challenges — and that’s okay. Consider bringing children to a neurology appointment so they can meet your PD doctor and ask questions.
Keeping the Parkinson’s conversation going will help you learn and grow as a family. While checking in regularly about how to best meet hurdles together and be sure to celebrate the wins, both small and large.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
In sessions with Dr. Rush, we explore different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Taylor Rush, Ph.D. - Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Most of us think of joy as a happy accident. But joy can be cultivated through simple, accessible mindfulness practices. In this session we will talk together about how to build joy into your days, and introduce a joy meditation that you can do sitting quietly or on the go.
Speaker
Devon Hase, Author, Meditation Teacher
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
A balanced diet is important for people with Parkinson's disease. Learn about food that may help ease symptoms and support brain health in addition to understanding how some foods can affect the way Parkinson's medications work. This program will also address the latest information on the gut and brain connection with PD.
Featured Speakers:
Okeanis Vaou, MD, FAAN
Associate Professor of Neurology
Division Chief, Movement Disorders Program
Vice Chair of Faculty Development
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Elissa Lueckemeyer RDN, LD
Food 4 Success, LLC
Jennifer von Durckheim M.Ed, NBC-HWC
Seedling Health and Wellness Coaching
Parking: Is complimentary for attendees of the program Click here for map of the Multi Assistance Center
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
