Friday, October 4th

Last day of the Conference.  Sad to say good-bye to new friends.  Maybe we'll meet up again some day.  I hope to see familiar faces at the next WPC in September 2016 in Portland Oregon.  And hope by then that we have new treatments and are much closer to a cure.  Wouldn't that be a great announcement at the WPC in 2016!! 

I attended a very interesting workshop today regarding Pain and Parkinson's.  I took away new information to help with my own pain issues and was fortunate to have a brief but valuable one-to-one chat with a pain specialist. 

I sensed by the end of the wrap up session late this afternoon, everyone was pretty darned tuckered out. Some may have gone on to dinner, but I opted to take my weary feet straight back to my hotel room for a cup of tea and bed!!  I have a very early start tomorrow for Quebec City.  The tour bus leaves at 7:45a.m.,which is like the middle of the night for me given the way my sleep patterns have been.  

My cudo's and congratulations to everyone involved in the WPC.  It has been a most extraordinary and life-altering experience.

donna

~Fini~

Thursday, October 3

Another beautiful day in this vibrant city.  Montreal is so ALIVE !!

I started my day at the Congress by strolling through the Parkinson's Quilt Project.  More than 600 individuals with a connection to Parkinson's, from 14 countries created panels that comprised the quilts. It was first displayed at the 2010 World Congress in Glasgow, Scotland.   There are 39 quilt blocks. Absolutely stunning, inspiring, touching.   I've attached a photo sampling and also included a photo of the signature quilt here at the 2013 WPC.  Signatures and powerful words of support have been added to the quilt from people attending from as far away as Mongolia, the Netherlands, South America.  My favorite signature said simply "to my very brave wife", from her husband.  (Pass the Kleenex please.)  My signature comment is big and bold and right in the middle on the red square.  Would you expect anything less?

This afternoon I attended a 2 hour workshop on "Sleep and Fatigue in PD". Full house attended.  It's a big topic for PDers.  I took home a lot of information from that session,  from the panelists presentations and the attendees during question and answer period.  As well an impromptu conversation in the Ladies' Washroom about the subject matter led to even further discussion on the subject matter.  

I've been sitting on my numb bum now for 4 straight days, with short walks thrown in for good measure, so I decided to end the day at Dr. Becky Farley and Jillian Carson's Parkinson's Exercise revolution!  Yes, it was a revolution...certainly from my rigid body's point of view.  The exercises are PD-specific and FUNctional. I plan to continue this program at home.  It's very do-able for me, with support and resources just a click away on the internet.  

Before I left the Palais de Congress this evening I checked out the Exhibit Hall, where I collected quite an assortment of those must-have wonderful free give-away promotional items - bracelets, pins, pens, information pamphlets and chatted with many great folks along the way.  Everyone is there for the same reason. Living Well with Parkinson's and Finding a Cure.

On the way back to the hotel, I found a charming Boulangerie for a delicious take-out and ate dinner here in my hotel room, in PJ's and a TV movie (in English!)  It's nice to take time-out.  I'm preserving my energy for tomorrow, the last day of this outstanding conference.   

Bonne Nuit

~donna

October 2, 2013

What a day!   Started off at the crack of 11:30a.m.  (I had a little bit of a sleep-in), but eventually got rockin' and rollin'.  Beautiful clear blue skies, very warm, unseasonable warm temperatures, soft breezes.  Montreal is buzzing with lots of tourists, all the people from the PD conference, plus the visitors attending the NHL kick-off game last night between the Habs and the Leafs.  I'm loving Montreal.  Such great energy here. Before heading to the conference centre this afternoon,  I walked up to Notre Dame Basilica Square and strolled surrounding streets .  Interesting blend of old and new architecture and many historic buildings are being refurbished.  Found an old office tower, with the original  "British Empire Building' sign.  Everyone speaks English and are patiently helpful when I try to speak French.  I''m finding the people here most accommodating.

I attended two sessions this afternoon at the Congress.  The first session was on the topic of Creativity, Music and Parkinson's. This session brought new perspectives and understanding to my own creative journey. The panelists from New York, Ireland and Canada shared insightful information on how creativity impacts PD and how PD impacts creativity.  The 2nd session was a wrap-up of the day's entire program and again, lots of new information and shared experiences.  

I've met two wonderful women from Nanaimo, also staying in the same hotel as me, both living with PD and living amazing lives.  We shared company tonight at dinner in  a local bistro and also shared interesting conversation about our own experiences with PD.  Yesterday one of the folks I chatted with is a neuro-researcher from Brazil, and learned all about the amazing work being done there for people with PD.

I'm signed up for some fun events for tomorrow, and hopefully, I will fall sleep tonight before 5:00a.m. and  be able to get up in time to enjoy the afternoon sessions!!  Ironically, one of the sessions tomorrow is about sleep disorders and fatigue with PD.

Ta Ta for now......

Pics:
Notre Dame Basilica Montreal
Palais de Congress Montreal

Tuesday, October 1

I am so grateful that I am able to attend this World Parkinson Congress.  I am overwhelmed by the joy, positive attitudes, smiles, camaraderie, poignant speeches, shared emotion and personal tears.  Tonight's opening ceremony was more than just speeches....it was about voices from the heart, and tears from the soul and a room of 3000 people all connected through one common bond.  A cure for Parkinson's.  Medical professionals, people with Parkinson's and caregivers of people with Parkinson's all contributed to the kinetic and positive energy that filled the room.  There was a special guest added to the ceremony, who spoke of his journey with Parkinson's.  And it literally was a journey as the special guest was Tim Hague Sr.,  the winner (with his son) of the Amazing Race Canada, was invited to share his story of perseverance.  His eloquent speech left a profound impact on us all.  The Opening Ceremony was followed by a lively reception, with servings of traditional Poutine and delicious Montreal smoked meat, and wine, of course.  A time to say hello to friends from home and meet new friends from far away places.  

Until tomorrow (a bientot).....

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Monday, September 30

I am in Montreal!!  Let the fun begin.  Well, maybe not tonight... I am POOPED !!  Early morning start today, long flight, and probably shouldn't have had that glass of wine with my dinner at the little bistro round the corner from my hotel this evening.  But what the hec....When in Rome, er Montreal.....! 

The area is buzzin' and shakin' with conference-goers!  It was nice to see the WPC welcome sign in the hotel lobby.  The evening weather here is lovely, very warm and expected sunny skies and warm temps in the mid-20's for the entire week.  

Now for a little french TV before bed.  zzzzzzz.......

Bonne Nuit 

~donna

Check in on Tuesday October 1st for the first update.