Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Being With What Is

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
Free
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Meeting Change, Emotion, and Uncertainty with Compassion. 

Parkinson’s brings ongoing change—not just physically, but emotionally and relationally. This session invites participants to explore how mindfulness can support us in being with what’s present: emotions, thoughts, grief, fear, love, and resilience—without becoming overwhelmed by them.

Rather than pushing difficult experiences away or trying to stay “positive,” we practice turning toward our inner experience with kindness and curiosity. This session is especially supportive for care partners and professionals, who often carry a lot while making space for others.

Speaker

Crista Ellis, E-RYT, B.Sc
Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Life Coach, Founder of Rising Rose Yoga
Senior Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation

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.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
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Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Well-being

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
Free
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

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.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON
View All
Raise Awareness

10 Tips for Playing Pickleball to Stay Active with Parkinson’s

🧠 What will you learn in this article?

This article highlights tips for playing Pickleball to stay active with Parkinson’s disease. It discusses:

  • When it comes to Parkinson’s symptoms, Pickleball is an aerobic workout that strengthens balance, agility, builds muscle and cognitive function.
  • The importance of exercise for people with Parkinson’s. 
  • 10 ways people with Parkinson’s can stay safe while playing pickleball.
Scott Rider playing pickleball

For many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), pickleball has become a new way to infuse exercise with socialization.

Exercise is a vital part of Parkinson’s disease management. It helps maintain balance, mobility, flexibility and overall quality of life. Research shows that consistent exercise — at least 2.5 hours per week — can slow symptom progression and improve physical and emotional wellbeing. 

Pickleball is a paddle sport played indoors or outdoors on a court smaller than a traditional tennis court. It is played in singles or doubles with a light, plastic ball. USA Pickleball sets official rules and supports programs nationwide. One reason the sport is popular is because it is easy to learn but challenging, and is accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

When it comes to Parkinson’s symptoms, Pickleball is an aerobic workout that strengthens balance, agility, builds muscle and cognitive function. A player’s ability to think and respond quickly while playing pickleball can boost brain activity. Additionally, it is a great way to socialize, an important part of living well with Parkinson’s as isolation following a diagnosis can lead to depression, a common PD symptom.

Trying a sport like pickleball can make staying active feel social and motivating. Setting a small, achievable goal, such as playing pickleball once a week, can help turn exercise into a habit you look forward to rather than a chore.

Here are 10 tips for playing Pickleball to stay active with Parkinson’s:

  1.  Get clearance from your neurologist.
    Before starting any new exercise, talk to your neurologist or PD doctor to make sure starting a new sport or exercise is safe. They may recommend seeing a physical therapist to prevent injuries.
  2. Work with a physical therapist (PT).
    Telling your physical therapist that you are playing pickleball or plan to start can help them customize your sessions to improve movement and mobility. PT can address stiffness and help you train to keep on-court movements safe. PT can also help build strength and improve coordination.
  3. Incorporate other exercises to up your pickleball game.
    Pickleball is a great way to evolve your exercise routine. Explore other exercises, like PD Health @ Home on-demand videos that address PD-specific balance, agility and movements between games.
  4. Warm up before playing pickleball to prevent injury.
    Before playing, develop a pickleball warm-up routine that works for you. This is a great opportunity for your physical therapist to weigh in.

Building PD Awareness on the Court

The Parkinson’s Foundation has partnered with Selkirk to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise for people living with Parkinson’s. For every pickleball paddle sold, Selkirk will donate 12% of sales to the Parkinson’s Foundation, a percentage that represents the 1.2 million people projected to be living with Parkinson’s by 2030.

Check out the Parkinson’s Foundation pickleball paddle
  1. Don’t play hurt.
    Rest when your body needs more recovery time. Parkinson’s symptoms can change from day to day, listen to your body and don’t push yourself on days you need more rest.
  2. Play during “on” times, when symptoms are most manageable.
    Medications like levodopa, commonly used for PD, help manage symptoms. As PD progresses, the brain's response to these medications may change, which can lead to symptom fluctuations, known as "on" and "off" periods. If possible, schedule pickleball games during "on" periods, when medication is working well.
  3. Use pickleball to build community and bond with a family member or spouse.
    Playing doubles can also help reduce court coverage and build relationships. Joining a pickleball league could be a great opportunity to start a new pastime with your adult child or spouse.
  4. Always stay hydrated.
    On or off the court, being dehydrated can make some PD symptoms worse, including constipation, swallowing issues and low blood pressure. On the court, not drinking enough liquids can bring muscle cramps and dizziness. Hydrate whenever possible.
  5. Modify the game as needed.
    Adjust game lengths, build in more breaks or stick to playing doubles. Joining a PD league or playing with others who have Parkinson’s is a great way to build in modifications.
  6. Explore Pickleball for Parkinson’s events.
    Pickleball4Parkinsons logo

    Join an upcoming Pickleball for Parkinson’s event or start your own. For qualifying events, the pickleball paddle manufacturer Selkirk offers a sponsorship. Learn more.

Pickleball can be more than a game. For people living with Parkinson’s, it can be a powerful tool for movement and connection —essential elements of living well with PD.

Exercise Resources

The best way to see benefits is to exercise consistently. People with PD enrolled in exercise programs for longer than six months, regardless of exercise intensity, see significant gains in functional balance and mobility compared to shorter programs. Explore our exercise resources:

Explore tips and learn more about exercise and Parkinson’s research on our Parkinson’s and exercise page.

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Building the Foundations

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
Free
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Establishing a mindfulness practice can be a powerful ally in managing Parkinson’s symptoms and stress. This session focuses on practical ways to weave mindfulness into your daily routine—whether through breath, gentle movement, or stillness—helping you create a sustainable foundation of calm, clarity, and self-support.

Speaker

Devon Hase
Author & Meditatation 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.

PD Health @ Home is presented by the Light of Day Foundation, whose generosity has made this programming possible.

Light of Day logo

 

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON
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My PD Story

David Williams running a marathon
People with PD

David Williams

I began a health transformation in my 50s and lost 108 pounds. At 56, I completed my first full marathon. Life felt strong. I felt capable. I felt in control.

David Williams side by side weight loss

Then at 58, everything changed.

My leg started shaking — first for weeks, then for months. I eventually went to a neurologist. Parkinson’s disease (PD) was never even a thought in my mind and hearing the words “tremor-dominant Parkinson’s” stopped me cold. April 16, 2025 became a date I’ll never forget. I cried in the parking lot after that appointment.

The first 30 days were hard. I worried about what my future would look like. I wondered what I would lose. I questioned how much of my life Parkinson’s would take.

Then I hit a turning point.

I decided Parkinson’s was going to be part of my life — but it was not going to run my life.

I focused on what I could control. I built my approach around four core pillars: exercise, a positive mindset, a supportive community and faith.

David Williams swimming

Exercise became non-negotiable. Movement is my medicine. Whether I’m swimming, biking, running, lifting or stretching, I show up. Some days are strong. Some days are hard. But I move — because staying active gives me strength, confidence and hope.

I also chose to lean into community. One phone call to the Parkinson’s Foundation led to several meaningful connections. I raised over $10,000 for Moving Day. In late 2025, I became a Parkinson’s Champion. I'm hopeful to serve on the board for the Carolinas Chapter. I’ve learned that fighting Parkinson’s alone is the hardest way to do it. Don't hide behind the diagnosis.

I turn 60 in 2026, and I’m a triathlete. I’m currently training for my biggest race of the year — the Augusta Ironman 70.3. That’s a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. I don’t train to prove anything to anyone else. I train to remind myself that I’m still capable. I train to inspire others especially those with limitations.

David Williams cycling

I also wear custom shirts and hoodies with my diagnosis date on them. They help start conversations with complete strangers. Those conversations create awareness, connection and understanding. It’s one small way I choose to turn my diagnosis into purpose.

If you’re living with Parkinson’s, my advice is simple: stay active as long as you can. Walk. Stretch. Use resistance bands. Do what you can — then do it again tomorrow.

And if you’re a caregiver, hear this: you matter too. Take time for yourself. Taking a break isn’t quitting — it’s refueling.

Parkinson’s changed my path, but it didn’t take my drive, my purpose or my belief in what’s still possible.

And I’m not done yet.

Get involved with the Parkinson’s Foundation in a way that works for you. Find your local chapter and explore our Get Involved page.

Educational Events

Improve with Improv for Parkinson’s

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Free
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL
Husband and wife lookin at a tablet while on their porch

Wellness Wednesday: Social Engagement Series

Join us for a fun, interactive virtual workshop led by Second City faculty member Lisa Bany, where improvisational theater becomes a joyful tool for connection, creativity, and confidence.

Improv has emerged as a valuable complementary practice for people living with Parkinson’s, as it engages both motor and non-motor skills.  Through guided improv games and exercises, participants will be invited to connect, share, move, and laugh together. No prior improv or performance experience is needed—just a willingness to show up and participate at your own comfort level.

Speaker

Lisa Bany
Faculty, The Second City

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.

PD Health @ Home is presented by the Light of Day Foundation, whose generosity has made this programming possible.

Light of Day logo

 

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON
View All
Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Coming Home to the Body

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
Free
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Finding Presence When the Body Feels Uncertain

Living with Parkinson’s—or loving someone who does—can create a complicated relationship with the body. Sensations may feel unfamiliar, unpredictable, or even frustrating. In this session, we gently explore mindfulness as a way to come home to the body just as it is, without needing to fix or change anything.

Through simple, accessible practices focused on breath, sensation, and grounded awareness, participants will be invited to reconnect with the body as a place of information, steadiness, and belonging—rather than something to battle or control.

Speaker

Crista Ellis, E-RYT, B.Sc
Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Life Coach, Founder of Rising Rose Yoga
Senior Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation

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.

PD Health @ Home is presented by the Light of Day Foundation, whose generosity has made this programming possible.

Light of Day logo

 

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON
View All
Educational Events

New Jersey & Pennsylvania Chapter Symposium

Virtual ( Zoom )
11:00 am to 3:00 pm EST
FREE
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL

NJPA Symposium

Check-in & Resource Fair* begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program starts at 12:00 p.m. 

Join the Parkinson’s Foundation for the New Jersey & Pennsylvania Chapter Parkinson’s Symposium. Attendees will learn about symptoms, treatment options and strategies to help navigate the challenges of living with PD. While each person’s experience is unique, the more you know, the more empowered you will be to play an active role in your care and manage your life with Parkinson’s.

*The Resource Fair will feature local Community Partners that provide services and support for the Parkinson’s Community.

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.

Presenting Sponsor

Light of Day

Platinum Sponsor

Avion

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON
View All
Educational Events

Mix and Mingle Kick Off

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm PDT
Free
SacYard Kickoff

Join us for a fun and casual happy hour as we gear up for Parkinson’s Revolution Ride and Moving Day this May! Connect with riders, supporters, and event committee members, learn more about the Parkinson’s Foundation, and celebrate our shared commitment to the Parkinson’s community. Bring your friends, family, and team members, to mingle with other teams

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON
View All
Educational Events

IU Health and Parkinson's Foundation Midwest Chapter, PD Symposium

10:45 am to 2:00 pm EST
FREE
Symposium

Guest Check-In begins at 10 a.m. and the program starts at 10:45 a.m. 

The Parkinson’s Foundation, in collaboration with IU Health-A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, is hosting its annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium. This informative event will feature discussions on key topics such as emerging treatment options, real‑world guidance to help participants get the most from their medications each day, hospital safety, and research exploring how inflammation and immune changes may contribute to Parkinson’s. In addition, the program will conclude with an expert panel Q&A.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore a vendor fair, highlighting valuable local resources for individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease.

Speakers

Alison S. Lewis, PharmD, BCEMP, BCPS Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Outpatient Neurology Indiana University Health – Goodman Hall Neuroscience Center

Rebecca Wallings, DPhil Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurology Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IU School of Medicine

Jessica Bartsch, MS, NCC Senior Manager, Community Education and Outreach Parkinson’s Foundation-Midwest Chapter

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.

IU Health Logo

Upcoming Events

Fundraising Events

2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend

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.

Duluth, MN
REGISTER FOR IN-PERSON
View All
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