Global Symposium Series

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex and diverse condition. To assist in expanding your knowledge of PD, Parkinson Society British Columbia will be hosting three webinars in this symposium series, featuring talks from global experts.

Please note, separate registration will be required for each session.

Caregiving Series

Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) recognizes the efforts made by carepartners and caregivers every day. We invite you to join our interactive three-part caregiving series. This series includes a moderated panel discussion of carepartners who will share experiences of their caregiving journey. The series also includes information on legal and long-term healthcare planning, and addresses achieving emotional wellbeing in caregiving. Specifics on the topics and speakers are provided below.

We welcome all carepartners/family caregivers as well as their loved one living with Parkinson's disease (PD) to attend this series as they may benefit from learning more about the caregiving role.

Separate registration is required for each series session, however, carepartners are encouraged to register for Part I, Part II, and Part III of the series.

Part I:

Panel Talk: Our Caregiving Stories | Mark Hutchinson, carepartner, Terry-Lynn Otto, daughter/caregiver, and Pat Mauch, recently former carepartner

This panel of PD carepartners/family caregivers discusses what being a carepartner/caregiver means to them and how they have advocated for themselves in the role. The challenges and rewards of caregiving, as well as wisdom acquired through lived experience, will be explored. Madelaine Ross, Parkinson Society BC counsellor, will moderate the panel session.

Register

Part II:

Legal Considerations: Plan Ahead | Joanne Taylor, Executive Director at Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre

Joanne Taylor, Executive Director of Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre, and previous volunteer chair of the Representation Agreement Task Force (RATF), shares her knowledge and expertise on advance care planning in this webinar. She will discuss what advance care planning is and why it may be appropriate to consider. Important legal documents for caregivers in advance care planning will also be reviewed, including Representation agreements, Advance Directives, and Enduring Power of Attorney in Advance Care Plans. A 10-minute Q&A will follow the talk.

Long-term Healthcare Planning | Jenn Allen, MSW; Social Worker; PSBC Healthcare Navigator

With chronic conditions like Parkinson's disease, increasing care may be needed as the disease progresses, such as more help with daily activities. Providing additional care may be beyond the scope of family members and/or carepartners, as they may not be equipped with the necessary tools. Ensuring your loved one’s needs are fully taken care of requires long-term healthcare planning.

In this webinar, Jenn Allen, Social Worker and PSBC Health Navigator, will discuss how a caregiver and their loved one can plan for future long-term healthcare. Available public and private options for long-term healthcare, as well as practical steps, will be reviewed. For many caregivers, navigating this information on one's own can feel overwhelming. Therefore, Jenn will provide clarity, and will discuss how her role as the PSBC Healthcare Navigator can assist caregivers.

Register

Part III:

Caregiving Stages: Learn Optimism, Discover Hope | Sky Lee, MSW; RSW, Clinical Counsellor in Vancouver, BC

This webinar will discuss the stages of caregiving and what carepartners/caregivers can expect at each stage. Sky Lee, Clinical Counsellor, draws from her more than 14 years of experience and expertise in providing intensive caregiver support services, and will discuss how caregivers can learn optimism and discover hope, even in the most challenging times. Sky will offer concrete methods caregivers can utilize to cultivate practical optimism in their caregiving. She will explore how hope is an important psychological resource for carepartners and family members to maintain and improve their own holistic health. 

Register

Debriefing the Caregiver Role 

Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) understands that Parkinson's disease (PD) affects more than just the individual diagnosed. It impacts the lives of families, friends, and carepartners.

When a loved one passes away, it is one of life's most difficult experiences. You may find yourself struggling with many intense and frightening emotions leaving you feeling isolated or alone. Connecting with others at this time guides the grieving process.

To help you through this journey and find that you are not alone, we invite you to join us on Thursday, June 9 for an online group session to learn and share experiences about loss and grief. Parkinson Society BC (PSBC) offers this workshop to those who have recently lost a loved one with Parkinson’s disease within the last two years. This session will be led by Elaine Book, Social Worker at the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre, and Madelaine Ross, Clinical Counsellor at PSBC.

Please note that the webinar access link and teleconference numbers will be sent via email 24 hours before the session to those who register.

Registration is open through Monday, June 6.

PD Warrior Level 1 + 2 Certification Course 

PD Warrior is an evidence-based, neuro-active exercise approach designed to improve function, quality of life, and long-term exercise behaviour in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). It was created in Australia by Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist, Melissa McConaghy, and is the founding organization of the Insight Into Parkinson's World Summit Conference. In recent years, PD Warrior has become increasingly popular, expanding to over eight countries, and can be seen at many global conferences, such as the World Confederation for Physical Therapy.

Parkinson Society BC (PSBC) is proud to offer the PD Warrior Level 1 and Level 2 course bundle on September 17 and 18, 2022, in Vancouver and Kelowna. The bundle is regularly priced at $720; however, PSBC is subsidizing the course to help improve impact and reach for those living with PD in BC.

The PD Warrior course is open to all BC physiotherapists, occupational therapists, kinesiologists, and exercise professionals. New graduates are also welcome.

Level 1

Level 1 is an online theory course (15 hours) that is a pre-requisite for the in-person Level 2 workshop. The course will give you the foundation to apply the core concepts of this intensive and neuro-active exercise approach immediately to your sessions and will cover:

• The latest evidence underpinning intensive and neuro-active exercise prescription
• The pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease
• How to tailor exercise effectively for the three different types of Parkinson's
• The seven core principles of neuroplasticity and how to implement them effectively
• How to create an enriched and motivating exercise environment
• How to empower your clients and create long-term exercise behaviour change

Once you register, you will be given access to the Level 1 online course to complete before the Level 2 in-person workshop date.

Level 2

Level 2 is an eight-hour, in-person, practical course to help consolidate theory learned in Level 1. It will also offer transferable skills in clinical reasoning and effective coaching that can be used with all clients with Parkinson's disease.

The Level 2 workshop is fast paced and entirely practical. You will have the opportunity to work with live clients with PD, and go through assessment and treatment planning, to ensure you can confidently apply the core concepts of this neuro-active exercise approach immediately. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate and run a PD Warrior circuit class to consolidate your practical skills.

You are expected to participate in this practical workshop and should come dressed and prepared to exercise HARD! If you have any injuries or restrictions on exercise, please advise your trainer on the day of the workshop. As you will be working with live clients, sensitivity and confidentiality are expected.

Fees

PSBC will heavily subsidize the course using the tiered registration schedule below (Level 1 + 2 bundle is normally priced at $720). Register early, as space is limited to 30 participants per date:

• Super Early Bird – Register before June 15: $100 for Level 1 + 2 Bundle
• Early Bird – Register between June 15 and July 14: $200 for Level 1 + 2 Bundle
• Regular – Register between July 15 and August 15: $300 for Level 1 + 2 Bundle

Registration closes on August 15 at 12:00pm (noon) PT. Space is limited. Register early to avoid disappointment.

 Vancouver Workshop:

Please note, registration for the Vancouver Workshop is now closed and sold out.

Kelowna Workshop:

Register

Instructors

Melissa McConaghy – Physiotherapist and Founder of PD Warrior

Melissa is a specialist neurological clinician, educator, author, and health entrepreneur. She is the founder of PD Warrior and INSIGHT, an online conference that is part of the global education calendar for people with Parkinson's.

Melissa is the current Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Branch Councilor, a fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, and on the Executive Committee of the International Neurological Physical Therapy Association at the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. She is a Clinical Lecturer at Macquarie University and has taught on a range of topics, including neuroplasticity in Parkinson's, Parkinson's and other movement disorders, and hydrotherapy for neurological populations, and has contributed to the production of the APA Level 1 Neurological Rehab course.

Melissa was awarded Australian physiotherapist of the Year in 2019 and received the Australian Physiotherapy Association New South Wales Branch Council award for Contribution to the Profession, including recognition for her book, The New Parkinson's Treatment: Exercise is Medicine.

Shelly Yu – Physiotherapist and Level 5 PD Warrior trainer

Shelly Yu is PSBC's own neuro physiotherapist based in Vancouver, and is the lead on provincial exercise programs. She comes from a background of working with the Parkinson's community in the United Kingdom, where she worked in various clinics, including spasticity and dystonia, facial rehab, hand, vestibular, and movement disorder clinics.

Shelly is a licensed PD Warrior clinician and a level 5 PD Warrior trainer. Outside of her work with PSBC, she is the lead physiotherapist at a private neurological rehab clinic, and is the Advocacy Officer of the Global Health Division at the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. 

To learn more about PD Warrior, please visit: https://pdwarrior.com/

Virtual Gardening Group

Get together with other green thumbs and connect with nature! Gardening is a relaxing and healthy way for people affected by Parkinson's to exercise, with the potential for improving hand dexterity and tremors. 

Join our Virtual Gardening Group for an opportunity to socialize and share gardening tips and tricks. This group is open to those who want to learn more about gardening, as well as share their gardening knowledge, projects, and pictures.

No experience is required. Both beginners and those with more experience are welcome to attend.

Register

SongShine with Joani

This program harnesses the power of the brain, breath, and emotion to reclaim voices. Joani Bye will engage participants in six uplifting sessions of SongShine, a program using singing, breath work, diction, articulation, and creative imagination exercises to strengthen voices affected by Parkinson's or other neurological challenges. SongShine's goal is to help you communicate more easily and clearly, while facilitating a sense of community, camaraderie, and confidence in the process!

Join Joani for immersive, holistic, and fun sessions that will include the following:

• Singing favorite songs
• Relaxation
• Breathing exercises
• Tongue exercises (for articulation and swallowing)
• Linguistic and vocal instruction
• Imagination exercises

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar series, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one.

Register

Getting Started with Writing Workshop Series

Join award-winning author, Cristy Watson, for a four-part series on getting started with writing.

In these one-hour online sessions, participants will get author tips on how to get started with writing or reinvigorate existing writing skills. Additionally, you will have the opportunities to write accordingly to picture and word prompts, and the chance to ask any overall questions about writing and publishing. Each session will offer different tips on the world of writing.  

Cristy Watson is an award-winning author of eight hi-lo novels for middle-grade (Orca Book Publishers, Victoria) and young-adult readers  (Formac/Lorimer,  Toronto). Her books are also read widely by an adult audience. She loves to enter writing contests and won Editor's Choice in Contemporary Verse 2’s two-day poem contest and won first place. She volunteers regularly with the Surrey International Writer's Conference and The Beach House Theatre, as well as hosting 'Zero to 360' - an open mic held in the Turnbull Art Gallery, through Semiahmoo Arts. This past year, she supported the BC Federation of Writers as the Committee Chair for a new program: WISE WORDS, funded by the Government of Canada's NEW HORIZONS program for seniors.

Novice, to experienced writers, are all welcome. Individuals may join the four-part series on any of the dates but are encouraged to attend all four sessions.

An informational session will be held by Cristy for those who would like to learn more about the workshop before registering for the four-part series.

Information Session

Registration for this information session is open until June 21.

Register

Workshop Series

Registration for the workshop series is open until June 28. 

Register

Step by Step

Step by Step is a 12-week walking program, beginning in April, aimed at improving physical fitness to combat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Walkers are encouraged to gradually increase the distance walked for a self-determined end goal distance. We hope that at the completion of the program, individuals will continue a regular exercise routine.

Those interested in participating should contact Shelly Yu, who will connect you with a volunteer leader in your area for weekly group walks where available. If there is no walk leader in your community, this program can be completed solo or with a partner/group of your choosing. Program booklets will be mailed to all participants to help them track and achieve their walking goals!

Register

Balance Exercise Series

Join Parkinson Society BC's neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, in a five-week, low-impact balance exercise class. This class will focus on lower extremity strength and agility-type activities required for falls prevention, such as multidirectional stepping, weight shifting, and turning. As this is a balance and falls class, all exercises will be done while standing in order to simulate real-life scenarios. However, participants are welcome to hold on to a chair or table for support as needed. No special equipment is required.

We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers, as they may benefit from learning more about the disease to assist in supporting their loved one.

Register

Rock Steady Boxing with Doug Pickard

Are you ready…to Rock Steady? Join Doug Pickard, a Rock Steady Boxing Affiliate Owner, who will lead a six-week fitness boxing class for Parkinson's.

Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) is a fitness program designed for people with Parkinson's. In an RSB class, exercises are largely adapted from boxing drills. Boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength.

No previous boxing experience is required. All you'll need is:

• a water bottle to drink from
• set of dumbbells (or water bottles filled with water)
• a short wooden dowel (a broomstick will do!)

Register

Hand & Dexterity Exercise Series

Overcome hand and dexterity challenges associated with PD in this exercise series! Shelly will guide you through a variety of exercises targeting upper extremity movement, hand dexterity, grip strength, hand-finger coordination, and basic handwriting practice. Given this is a hand and dexterity class, ideally all exercises will be done while seated in a chair without arm rests. Equipment to prepare for the exercise series include:

• Tea towel/kitchen towel
• Small cushion/pillow
• Two cups (ideally without handles)
• Blank lined piece of paper for each class
• Marker and a pencil/pen

Register

Voice Aerobics®

Voice Aerobics® is a 50-minute class that combines voice practice with movement. It was developed as a three-part program with a focus on posture, breathing, and voice. During each session of this series, Mary Spremulli (Speech-Language Pathologist) will focus on a different aspect of speech production and interject swallowing exercises. We welcome all individuals with Parkinson's to this webinar, as well as their spouses and/or carepartners/caregivers. All exercises can be done seated.

Register

Dancing with Parkinson's

Join Megan Walker-Straight, Dance for PD certified instructor, for an hour of dancing, instilling confidence and nourishing creative impulse. In this exercise series, the fundamentals of dancing will be explored, including balance, flexibility, movement sequencing, rhythm, as well as spatial and aesthetic awareness. Narration, imagery, music, and community will engage minds, hearts, and bodies in a joyful experience of movement expansion and creative enthusiasm. Mostly, it will just be fun! Everyone is welcome!

Classes provide opportunities to dance both seated and standing. No prior experience is needed.

Register

Regional Conference: Kelowna

Parkinson’s disease is a unique and complex condition. To assist in expanding your knowledge of the disease, on June 18th Parkinson Society BC will be hosting an afternoon of learning. This event will be available to attend in person in Kelowna or virtually via livestream through Zoom webinar.

Our regional conferences are immersive and interactive opportunities for people affected by the disease to learn from leading experts while connecting with the Parkinson’s community. The conference does not include a meal, however light refreshments and snacks will be provided to on-site attendees.

As per Parkinson Society BC policy, a valid vaccine passport must be provided prior to event entry. Masks are required within the banquet hall, except when seated.

Topics covered at this conference include:

• Postural Hypotension in PD | Dr. Melissa Mackenzie, Movement Disorder Specialist in Vancouver
• Bladder and Bowel Issues in PD | Dr. Jennifer Locke, Urologist in Kelowna
• Nutrition for PD | Dr. Sally Stewart, Associate Professor of Teaching in Health and Exercise Sciences and the Director of the Nutrition Education Center at UBC Okanagan

Parkinson's Support Groups

Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD) Support Group

Parkinson Society British Columbia is offering an online YOPD support group. This group is meant for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's under the age of 60. 

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom. 

2^nd Tuesday of each month
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm PT

Register

New Diagnosis Support Group

Parkinson Society British Columbia is offering an online support group for those newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who wish to get connected with the Parkinson's community and find community while adjusting to their diagnosis.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

1^st Tuesday of each month
1:30 pm –3:00 pm PT

Register Now

Parkinson's Disease Support Group

In an effort to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, many support groups have cancelled meetings until further notice. As a substitute, we have started a new weekly online support group for the Parkinson’s community to help stay connected and support each other during this time.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

1^st Friday of each month
9:00 am – 10:30 am PT

Register Now

Bereavement Support Group for People with Parkinson's

Rebuilding your life after the loss of a loved one is a journey of healing that requires the combination of love, support and time. Dealing with the challenges of Parkinson's disease as well as your grief, can contribute to feeling even more alone and alienated. It can be very comforting in those darker times to be with others who are experiencing some of the same challenges and who understand your confusion and pain. Meeting others who are beginning to experience some of the joy of life again can be can bring hope, if you have yet to experience it.

The professionally facilitated Bereavement Support Group for PwP, is offered by Parkinson Society BC by Zoom, and is open to anyone who has Parkinson's and is dealing with the challenges of grief and loss. The group will meet the third Wednesday of each month at 11:00am.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom. 

3^rd Wednesday of each month
11:00 am – 12:30 pm PT

Register Now

Caregiving & Bereavement Support Groups

Early to Mid-Stage Parkinson's Carepartner Support Group

This monthly online support group is geared for individuals caring for someone with early to mid-stage Parkinson's disease. Whether you are a spouse, partner, adult child, or friend, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to join our growing online community of support.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

3^rd Wednesday of each month 
9:00 am – 10:30 am PT

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Advanced Parkinson's Carepartner Support Group

This new monthly online support group is designed for individuals caring for someone with advanced Parkinson's disease, which can be characterized by complex medical needs and/or changes in cognition that require help in almost all areas of daily life.

Whether you are a spouse, partner, adult child, or friend, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to join our growing online community fostering connection with others who share similar experiences.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom.

4^th Thursday of each month
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm PT

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Bereavement Support Group

When a loved one passes away, it is one of life's most difficult experiences. Rebuilding your life after the loss of a loved one is a journey of healing that requires a combination of love, support, and time. It may bring hope and comfort to connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges, and who can relate to your confusion and pain.

The professionally facilitated Bereavement Support Group, is offered by Parkinson Society BC by Zoom, and is open to anyone who is dealing with the challenges of loss and grief. The group will meet every second week on Tuesdays at 1:00pm.

A valid internet connection will be required to participate. Meeting on Zoom. 

2^nd Tuesday of each month
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm PT

Register Now