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
Crista Ellis, BS, RYT-200, Yoga and Meditation teacher
Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
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.
My dad had a movie star quality. I heard my mom call him a lot of names (especially when she was mad) but when she wanted to flatter, he was ‘ole blue eyes and Superman. That was my dad. Edward Robert Nielsen stood solidly at 6”2’, had broad shoulders, an athletic and lean physique and had served in the Air Force. I remember he was strong. As the youngest sibling, I often found myself perched atop his shoulders on long family walks when I whined to be picked up.
I don’t think my dad ever suffered a cold or even a toothache. My mom said he had the stomach of an ox, and we gave him any food we thought was questionable! He was the picture of health. During my teen years we jogged together on weekends, and he swam and golfed whenever he could in retirement. He was just as active with his grandkids as he had been with us, tirelessly playing with them on land and sea! One of his favorite things to do was let the kids hang onto his neck as he swam a half mile out into the ocean. As I said, strong. He was mom’s rock when she went through her hip surgery-induced stroke and was by her side to bring her back to health. He was invincible. Until he met Parkinson’s disease (PD).
We didn’t know he had Parkinson’s until he turned 79. In retrospect, some of the signs of the disease had been there — but he never had tremors, and isn’t everyone forgetful?
My dad was accompanying mom on one of her checkups when the doctor said, “You know, Ed, you have Parkinson’s.” He noted that my dad was shuffling and taking short steps, a clear sign of PD. It wasn’t until after the diagnosis that my mom remembered dad telling her after one of his ocean swims he felt paralyzed and almost didn’t make it back to shore. He was frightened. He went blind in one eye during cataract surgery, because again, nobody knew he was unwell.
The rest of the story went like this: he was diagnosed, he got medication, he and mom practiced walking in long strides, he went to physical therapy. None of us really understood the trajectory of this disease or what it meant, as he seemed “OK.” The family wasn’t brought together to discuss what to do, how to prepare or how to help him. Did we think maybe he would recover? I mean, this is someone who was supposed to live to 100, like his dad.
Personally, my instinct was to focus on creating meaningful moments. We flew mom and dad to Tahoe the following summer to spend a week with his brother and extended family. I assumed mom and dad had the medical part well in hand.
When dad turned 81, I flew from California to visit my parents as often as I could in Florida. There was talk of moving them to a smaller home, but that never happened and dad’s health began to slowly (and then rapidly) decline.
The scene went from walking him around the house, taking him in his wheelchair for walks through the neighborhood to wave to friends, visiting the beach for sunsets and even getting him out on the driving range to hit golf balls — to suddenly him being stiff as a board and basically immobile. No longer having the resources at home to help him, we found ourselves in an emergency situation and had to move him to a skilled nursing home immediately.
They were lovely people, but of their own admission the facility had no experience in how to manage people with Parkinson’s. They had given up on any movement therapy. Feeding him was a challenge, and he was unable to communicate. The memory of the time they tried to shower him and how he screamed in agony is difficult to think about. I’d like to forget it all, but I cannot.
In the days before he died at age 82, I would sit and read to him. He would occasionally search my eyes and appeared to listen. I do believe he understood everything I was saying and wanted to tell me so many important things. I told him I understood and promised him that I would do what I could to help people with Parkinson’s just like him, so they would not suffer. I don’t think I imagined that he would actually blink in understanding.
My dad’s experience with Parkinson’s disease is why I donate to Parkinson’s research. We need more research for treatment. We need better awareness and education for the PD community. We also need care facilities to be better equipped to support people with Parkinson’s and their families.
During this session, we will provide an introduction to hospice, exploring what hospice is, the types of services hospice provides, and the typical timing of hospice. We will also discuss how to select a hospice program that can best fit your needs, and how to be an advocate to receive the types of services you need.
Speaker
Farrah Daly, MD
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
Handout: Top 5 Things to Know about Hospice Care for People with PD
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.
The Parkinson's Foundation is an official charity partner for the 2025 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend. By signing up to run as a Parkinson's Champion you commit to raising funds and awareness for the Parkinson's Foundation, and in return you get access to a free entry (bib) to the race in addition to tons of other fun benefits and perks. You can learn more about our program and join our interest list at Run4PD.org.
Fundraising Commitments:
VIP - $5,000
Chills & Thrills Challenge (Half & 10k) - $1,500
Half - $1,000
5k/10k - $750
Honorary Champion - $500
Whether you’re a Disney fan, an athlete or both, we’ve got a ghoulishly good time for you — the all-new Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend! Disneyland Resort® will host four days of events, all themed to the Halloween season. And whether you treat yourself to a 3.1-mile jaunt, pick up a few ghostly hitchhikers for 6.2 miles or try to avoid any “hocus-pocus” during a 13.1-mile adventure, some Disney Characters will be there to wish you the happiest of Halloweens!
Looking for travel support? Sign up for a free consultation with our wonderful friends at Magical Park Vacations at THIS LINK (whether you end up running with us or not). They have deep knowledge of the parks and traveling with a family member who has Parkinson’s disease.
NOTE: Registration for this race includes access to the Disneyland Resort® amusement parks for the race event only. To “ride-the-rides” you would need to purchase a separate ticket to the parks. There may be the opportunity for friends and family to come cheer you on without needing to purchase entry to the park, but this will be announced later by the runDisney organization at their discretion.
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.
The Parkinson's Foundation is an official charity partner for the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon Weekend. By signing up to run as a Parkinson's Champion you commit to raising funds and awareness for the Parkinson's Foundation, and in return you get access to a free entry (bib) to the race in addition to tons of other fun benefits and perks.
Honorary Runner (secure your own bib) - suggested $500
Recognized for impeccable organization on an iconic course managed by the US Marines in Arlington, VA and the nation’s capital, the Marine Corps Marathon is one of the largest Marathons in the US and the world. Known as ‘The Best Marathon for Beginners,’ the MCM is the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money, earning its nickname, “The People’s Marathon.”
Are you looking for a fun way to volunteer for the Parkinson's Foundation & raise your voice while raising awareness? Come out and cheer on our incredible athletes! Learn more and apply at Parkinson.org/ChampionsCheer.
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.
Acompañe a la Parkinson’s Foundation para aprender acerca de las causas, los síntomas y el manejo de la enfermedad de Parkinson, así como la participación en investigaciones.
Presentador
Enrique Urrea-Mendoza, MD
Especialista en trastornos del movimiento
Prisma Health Neurology
University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Este programa es gratuito y está disponible para cualquier persona interesada, incluyendo a las personas con Parkinson y sus familiares, amigos, personas de apoyo y promotores de salud.
Tightrope Impro Theatre's Improv for Wellness team is excited to rejoin PD Health @ Home to offer another Improv for Parkinson's Taster!
Are you a person with Parkinson's Disease or a Parkinson's-like condition? Are you curious about the benefits of Improv for Parkinson's? Join our taster session to try out some improv games, learn about the research and benefits, and see what programs we have to offer!
Speakers
Megan Dunlop, Facilitator of Improv for Parkinson's
Rosemary Morrison, Wellness Coordinator of Improv for Work and Wellness
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
Due to the nature of our social engagement programs and to protect the privacy of participants, we will not be recording or archiving these programs. By not recording, it's our hope that the program provides a comfortable environment that encourages meaningful participation.
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.
EP Salud: Miércoles de Bienestar - La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) y la cognición (o los procesos cognitivos): comprendiendo y mejorando la salud de su cerebro
El propósito de esta charla es educar a las personas con Parkinson y sus cuidadores acerca del impacto de la EP en los procesos cognitivos, discutir los rasgos más comunes y relevantes acerca de los aspectos cognitivos y la EP y cómo éstos también pueden afectar otras áreas como el bienestar emocional. Se hablará de la importancia de mantenerse conectados y los recursos de apoyo disponibles.
Presentadora
Annelly Buré-Reyes, PhD
Assistant Professor, División de neuropsicología
Departmento de neurología
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Este programa es gratuito y está disponible para cualquier persona interesada, incluyendo a las personas con Parkinson y sus familiares, amigos, personas de apoyo y promotores de salud.
How do you find harmony in juggling it all? Caring for your parent or family member or your children, plus all the things going on in your life. Join us to discuss how to talk about caring for yourself while living with PD, as well as caring for others, setting boundaries, and how to find resources.
Join us for an educational presentation, followed by a Q&A session with our speaker. We will then have the opportunity to connect with others in the Young Onset community via Zoom breakout rooms to continue the discussion.
Speaker
Joan Hlas, MD
Struthers Parkinson’s Center, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
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.
Join us for an overview on laws governing the rights of individuals in the workplace, including reasonable accommodations and medical leaves. Daniel Olson will present this interactive session, which will allow you to learn about disability laws and have your questions answered. Mr. Olson is the Co-Chair of the Employment Law Practice Group at Bassford Remele, P.A., in Minneapolis, and an Adjunct Professor of Employment Law at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
Join us for an educational presentation, followed by a Q&A session with our speaker. We will then have the opportunity to connect with others in the Young Onset community via Zoom breakout rooms to continue the discussion.
Speaker
Daniel Olson, Co-Chair
Employment Law Practice Group, Bassford Remele
Adjunct Professor of Employment Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law
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.
