"Find Your Passion and Go For It."

"Just because you have PD doesn’t mean it is the end of the world... I have never looked back."
 

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Hope Conference 2011 Highlights

Paving Your Path to Wellness

 

The 2011 Hope Conference took place on June 3rd and 4th in Calgary, at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino. This year’s conference with the theme, “Paving Your Path to Wellness”, was designed to empower people living with Parkinson’s by providing an opportunity for social interaction, education and community support. Over 200 people attended the two day event; and as a result of the amalgamation we were able to reach participants throughout the province and the neighbouring provinces. Our event comprised of international speakers, health care professionals, and people living with Parkinson’s and related disorders, their families and caregivers. We were pleased to host the Executive Leadership Team and the Parkinson Society Federation.

His Honour, Col. (Ret’d), The Honourable Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, opened the fourth annual Hope Conference. The keynote presentation followed, delivered by Dr. Christine Klein, Professor of Clinical and Molecular Neurogenetics University of Luebeck (Germany), spoke about the genetics of Parkinson disease (PD). Her talk helped those in attendance to better understand the role that genetics plays in PD; pointing out that a better understanding of the genetics of PD should eventually help us to understand the nature of PD better, treat symptoms and help with neuroprotection.

A Special Awards Presentation followed with the inaugural presentation of both the Holly Metcalfe and the Louise Plewes Awards. Mrs. Louise Plewes and Mrs. Holly Metcalfe, for whom the awards are named, were long time members and advocates of The Parkinson Society of Alberta and Parkinson Society of Southern Alberta respectively. Both women were on hand to present their respective awards. The Holly Metcalfe Award was given to Dr. Oksana Suchowersky, Professor of Neurology and Medical Genetics, University of Alberta and past Director - Movement Disorders Clinic University of Calgary; while the Louise Plewes Award went to Dr. Wayne Martin Professor of Neurology and Director - Movement Disorders Clinic University of Alberta for their outstanding work in Parkinson research, volunteerism and services.

It wasn’t all business as Dr. Christine Klein and Mr. Peter Davison were “White Hatted” on the Friday evening. For those of you not familiar, there is a tradition in Calgary to honor dignitaries and special guests with a special White Hat Ceremony. The honorees are presented with a white hat, asked to raise their right hand, and make the following pledge:

"I, (speaker inserts his or her name), havin' visited the only genuine Western city in Canada, namely Calgary, and havin'  been duly treated to exceptional amounts of heart-warmin', hand-shakin', tongue-loosenin', back-slappin', neighbor-lovin' Western spirit, do solemnly promise to spread this here brand of hospitality to all folks and critters who cross my trail hereafter. On the count of three, we will all raise our hats and give a loud 'Yahoo!"

Participants had the opportunity to check out an art exhibit that encircled the perimeter of the ballroom. A variety of mediums (photography, paintings, woodworking, etc.) were represented showcasing artists who create while living with Parkinson disease. Additionally, our two Hope Conference MC’s, Jackie Bodie and Laurine Fillo, presented a video documenting their road trip throughout Alberta, filming Albertans living with PD. The video, shown both Friday and Saturday, was well received by all those who viewed it. Friday concluded with a live band, apply named “Home by Midnight”, who kept everyone dancing into the evening.

Saturday morning, Mr. Peter Davison, a Motivational Speaker who has Young Onset PD, from Bedford, Nova Scotia spoke on The Four Dimensions of Living Well. Here is an excerpt from his talk:

1. Physical: Our ability to stay on top of our game in all areas of life is determined by how much joy juice and personal magnetism we can create and channel. Results include more happiness to share with our friends and family.

2. Emotional: Our choices in relationships with others affect our capacity to inspire honesty, dissolve resistant tension, care with a big heart and enrich harmony to achieve greater peace of mind, respect, devotion and results.

3. Mental: Our attitude determines our altitude and our mindsets determine how we stress smart, manage change, engage problems, treat others, step towards the future and foster creativity. Attitude is contagious, let’s make ours worth catching.

4. Spiritual: Care Partners/Health Professionals: Your legacy as unsung heroes is grounded in your dedication to serving something bigger than yourselves. When you honor and align your talents, skills and values to a collective cause you inspire loyalty, compassion and hope. And we thank you for that.

(Be more with) Presence - Discipline to focus on life force energy in the moment.
(Feel more with) Passion - Measured by desire to create opportunities to express your values.
(Serve more with) Purpose - Crystal clarity of knowing what you are doing and for whom.

Throughout Saturday participants attended breakout sessions presented by numerous local health care professionals. Topics included:

o Who am I?
o Nutrition
o Fitness
o Me, Myself and You
o Tools for Daily Living.

Dr. Oksana Suchowersky chaired a lunch time expert panel discussion with herself, Dr. Christine Klein, Dr. Wayne Martin and Dr. Jeremy Quickfall presenting. Following the presentation by the panel, delegates had an opportunity to ask questions relating to issues that people living with Parkinson’s face. It was very well received, with many people getting the opportunity to ask questions.

Following lunch Brian Farrell perked us up with some singing accompanied by the Calgary Parkinson Music Class. The Conference concluded with a presentation by Dr. Zelma Kiss, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Calgary, on Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Kiss presented the history behind DBS and explained the careful and precise procedure of DBS.

The 2011 Hope Conference would not have been possible without the dedication of the committee. Special thanks to Jackie Bodie, Harle Burnett, Suzanne Demers, Laurine Fillo, Beth Metcalf, Sharon Mulder, John Petryshen and Donna and Dan Sellers.
 

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