Check-in & Resource Fair* begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program starts at 11:30 a.m.
Speech and swallowing challenges are common in Parkinson’s, but they can be managed. Participants will learn about voice changes and swallowing difficulties, along with strategies to improve communication and address swallowing challenges. We’ll also discuss the effect of speech and swallowing therapy on quality of life.
*The Resource Fair will feature local Community Partners that provide services and support for the Parkinson’s Community.
Speakers
Suja Sadasivan, MD Blue Rock Therapeutics
Anne Quirk, MA, MS, CCC-SLP True Self Speech Therapy
Sandra Aguiar, MS, CCC-CLP Brown University Health
Movement demonstration by Angelina DiNardo, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Rhode Island Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation
Large parking lot in front of the JCC will be available.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their families, friends, and the community.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
Parkinson's Foundation: The PD Solo Network - Living Alone While Living with PD
There are two sessions available: You are welcome to choose one or attend both. – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Please note: These meetings are intended for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance – only. If this is not your situation, please contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline to receive information about resources that best meet your needs. Call the Helpline at 1-800-473-4636 (1-800-4PD-INFO) or Helpline@Parkinson.org.
What is the PD Solo Network:
A virtual network for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) who live alone, by choice or circumstance. The purpose of this group is to create a community of support for those living without a care partner. People living with PD are the experts about what challenges, changes and accommodations are needed on a daily basis. This network will provide a place to share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions, resources & to build relationships.
The Parkinson's Foundation is providing the initial funding and support to kick start this network. It will most likely become a very strong network that will operate independently although the Parkinson's Foundation will always be an entity of support & information for the participants.
2026 Meeting Date:
December 8, 2026
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
Parkinson's Foundation: The PD Solo Network - Living Alone While Living with PD
There are two sessions available: You are welcome to choose one or attend both. – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Please note: These meetings are intended for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance – only. If this is not your situation, please contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline to receive information about resources that best meet your needs. Call the Helpline at 1-800-473-4636 (1-800-4PD-INFO) or Helpline@Parkinson.org.
What is the PD Solo Network:
A virtual network for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) who live alone, by choice or circumstance. The purpose of this group is to create a community of support for those living without a care partner. People living with PD are the experts about what challenges, changes and accommodations are needed on a daily basis. This network will provide a place to share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions, resources & to build relationships.
The Parkinson's Foundation is providing the initial funding and support to kick start this network. It will most likely become a very strong network that will operate independently although the Parkinson's Foundation will always be an entity of support & information for the participants.
2026 Meeting Dates:
November 10, 2026
December 8, 2026
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
Parkinson's Foundation: The PD Solo Network - Living Alone While Living with PD
There are two sessions available: You are welcome to choose one or attend both. – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Please note: These meetings are intended for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance – only. If this is not your situation, please contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline to receive information about resources that best meet your needs. Call the Helpline at 1-800-473-4636 (1-800-4PD-INFO) or Helpline@Parkinson.org.
What is the PD Solo Network:
A virtual network for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) who live alone, by choice or circumstance. The purpose of this group is to create a community of support for those living without a care partner. People living with PD are the experts about what challenges, changes and accommodations are needed on a daily basis. This network will provide a place to share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions, resources & to build relationships.
The Parkinson's Foundation is providing the initial funding and support to kick start this network. It will most likely become a very strong network that will operate independently although the Parkinson's Foundation will always be an entity of support & information for the participants.
2026 Meeting Dates:
October 13, 2026
November 10, 2026
December 8, 2026
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
Parkinson's Foundation: The PD Solo Network - Living Alone While Living with PD
There are two sessions available: You are welcome to choose one or attend both. – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Please note: These meetings are intended for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance – only. If this is not your situation, please contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline to receive information about resources that best meet your needs. Call the Helpline at 1-800-473-4636 (1-800-4PD-INFO) or Helpline@Parkinson.org.
What is the PD Solo Network:
A virtual network for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) who live alone, by choice or circumstance. The purpose of this group is to create a community of support for those living without a care partner. People living with PD are the experts about what challenges, changes and accommodations are needed on a daily basis. This network will provide a place to share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions, resources & to build relationships.
The Parkinson's Foundation is providing the initial funding and support to kick start this network. It will most likely become a very strong network that will operate independently although the Parkinson's Foundation will always be an entity of support & information for the participants.
2026 Meeting Dates:
September 15, 2026
October 13, 2026
November 10, 2026
December 8, 2026
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
Parkinson's Foundation: The PD Solo Network - Living Alone While Living with PD
There are two sessions available: You are welcome to choose one or attend both. – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Please note: These meetings are intended for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance – only. If this is not your situation, please contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline to receive information about resources that best meet your needs. Call the Helpline at 1-800-473-4636 (1-800-4PD-INFO) or Helpline@Parkinson.org.
What is the PD Solo Network:
A virtual network for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) who live alone, by choice or circumstance. The purpose of this group is to create a community of support for those living without a care partner. People living with PD are the experts about what challenges, changes and accommodations are needed on a daily basis. This network will provide a place to share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions, resources & to build relationships.
The Parkinson's Foundation is providing the initial funding and support to kick start this network. It will most likely become a very strong network that will operate independently although the Parkinson's Foundation will always be an entity of support & information for the participants.
2026 Meeting Dates:
August 11, 2026
September 15, 2026
October 13, 2026
November 10, 2026
December 8, 2026
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
As poet Maya Angelou once said, forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.” Forgiveness can release tension and open the heart to healing—especially when facing the changes Parkinson’s brings. This session offers a gentle, step-by-step mindfulness practice for forgiveness, helping to soften self-blame and resentment, and make room for acceptance and peace.
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.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.
Whether you’re new to mindfulness or a returning participant, these sessions are designed to be inclusive, supportive, and accessible for everyone. Find a comfortable place to sit, settle in, and experience how mindfulness can bring steadiness and space, even in the midst of change.
A brief time for questions and reflections will follow each practice.
Speaker
Taylor Rush, PhD 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.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
Parkinson's Foundation: The PD Solo Network - Living Alone While Living with PD
There are two sessions available: You are welcome to choose one or attend both. – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Please note: These meetings are intended for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who live alone, by choice or circumstance – only. If this is not your situation, please contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline to receive information about resources that best meet your needs. Call the Helpline at 1-800-473-4636 (1-800-4PD-INFO) or Helpline@Parkinson.org.
What is the PD Solo Network:
A virtual network for people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) who live alone, by choice or circumstance. The purpose of this group is to create a community of support for those living without a care partner. People living with PD are the experts about what challenges, changes and accommodations are needed on a daily basis. This network will provide a place to share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions, resources & to build relationships.
The Parkinson's Foundation is providing the initial funding and support to kick start this network. It will most likely become a very strong network that will operate independently although the Parkinson's Foundation will always be an entity of support & information for the participants.
2026 Meeting Dates:
July 14, 2026
August 11, 2026
September 15, 2026
October 13, 2026
November 10, 2026
December 8, 2026
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
In this session, we will learn how to notice common difficult habits of the mind, to pause, and then to mindfully return to a better place. As we do so, we give ourselves the best chance of choosing a better next step.
Experts will share practical strategies and safety precautions to improve safety and minimize fall risk to support balance and mobility in everyday life.
Georgia Chapter Ambassador Retreat | July 31–August 1, Atlanta, GA. Join fellow Parkinson’s Foundation ambassadors for a weekend of connection, learning, collaboration, and planning as we celebrate our impact and prepare for the year ahead.
3 Takeaways from the First National Parkinson’s Project Advisory Council Meeting
🧠 What will you learn in this article?
This article shares key takeaways from the first meeting of the National Parkinson’s Project Advisory Council and explains what it means for the future of Parkinson’s disease (PD) policy. It highlights how:
The Council is beginning its work on the first-ever national plan to better diagnose, treat, prevent and cure Parkinson's.
The Parkinson's community's years of advocacy made this historic moment possible.
There are concrete ways you can stay involved and help shape what comes next.
On June 29, the National Parkinson’s Project Advisory Council held its first meeting, a milestone that was years in the making and a turning point for the Parkinson’s community.
The Council brings together Parkinson’s experts, government officials, care partners, advocates and people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) to develop the first-ever national plan to better diagnose, treat, prevent and ultimately cure Parkinson's. Michael S. Okun, MD, National Medical Advisor to the Parkinson's Foundation, was appointed to the Council, helping ensure the National Plan to End Parkinson's reflects both scientific expertise and lived experience.
This moment did not happen on its own. It is the result of years of advocacy by people like you. Advocates shared their experiences with Congress to push for the creation of this initiative in 2024. And less than a month after hundreds of advocates went to Capitol Hill this spring urging action on the National Parkinson's Project, the Council was finally seated.
Now the real work begins — and so does our responsibility to keep up the momentum. The Parkinson's Foundation is urging the Council to:
Issue its first annual report within one year.
Prioritize an estimate of the federal funding needed to address Parkinson's.
Make actionable recommendations to improve care for people living with PD across the lifespan.
What came out of this first meeting? Here are three takeaways:
1. The Council Acknowledged the Urgency to Act
From the outset, leadership from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke set a tone of urgency, recognizing that the initiative's initial deadlines had been missed and emphasizing the need for actionable recommendations without further delay.
Encouragingly, the Council indicated that a report would be delivered in summer 2027, which aligns with our ask that the Council produce its first report within one year. For a disease where there is no time to waste, that commitment to a timeline matters.
2. The Council Acknowledged More PD Resources Are Needed for Care and Research
To meaningfully address Parkinson's, we first need to understand the full costs of the disease — across research and care. The Parkinson's Foundation has been pushing for the Council to develop an estimate of the federal funding needed to prevent, diagnose, treat and ultimately cure Parkinson's, as well as the investment required to improve quality of life for those living with PD today.
In this first meeting, the Council acknowledged the importance of creating an estimate as they continue their work. This is an important step: a clear picture of what it will take gives Congress the roadmap it needs to determine funding levels and spur meaningful investment.
3. The Parkinson’s Community Showed Up in Force
The energy and public engagement were unmistakable; more than 160 comments were submitted for this first meeting. Ken Chason, People with Parkinson's Advisory Council Vice Chair and person living with PD, was one of 10 people recognized to present.
“The Parkinson’s crisis is real and urgent,” Ken wrote in his testimony. “More than 1.1 million Americans have the disease, with approximately 90,000 new diagnoses each year. Parkinson’s is relentlessly progressive, devastating patients and families alike, and is on track to further strain our healthcare system. To fully understand the challenge and chart a way forward, it is essential to hear from people who live with Parkinson’s every day. As the Council begins its work, I urge it to keep the experiences of those living with Parkinson’s in mind.”
Ken drew on his own diagnosis journey to spotlight the community's top priorities: produce the overdue report within one year; identify the resources needed to prevent, diagnose, treat and ultimately cure Parkinson's; and prioritize recommendations to improve access to high-quality care. It was a powerful reminder of what the community can accomplish when it speaks with one voice.
Your Voice Can Shape What Comes Next
The first meeting is only the beginning. The decisions this Council makes over the coming months and years will shape Parkinson's research, care and quality of life for generations.
The Parkinson's community making its voice heard is critical in making sure the Council delivers results. You helped create the National Parkinson's Project. Now you can help see it through.
Ready to make a difference? Visit our Advocacy Center to join our Advocacy Network, contact your representatives and take action on the issues that matter most to the PD community today.
