I am sure that you have heard about the upcoming World Parkinson’s Congress (WPC) that will be held in Portland this coming September. But are you still not sure if you should go? There are many excuses that you could come up with when deciding to go; such as traveling can be a bear, the expense of getting there or that it’s just another Parkinson’s conference… you can find one closer to home.
Well I am here to tell you why you should go to the WPC:
-The first WPC was launched in 2006 located in Washington D.C., with the mission of “bringing physicians, scientists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, caregivers and people with Parkinson’s disease together, each Congress allows for a worldwide dialogue to help expedite the discovery of a cure and best treatment practices for this devastating disease.”
-The WPC only happens every 3 years! The last one was held in Montreal, Canada in 2013 and welcomed 3,334 delegates from 64 countries… including me!
-If you don’t make it to Portland this year, you will have to wait 3 years and most likely have to travel much further to make it to 2019’s WPC… and hey, let’s be honest, you ain’t getting much younger!
-There is no shortage on scrumptious Frozen Yogurt shops in Portland! Come to Mommy…
-The WPC offers continuing educations credits to physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals.
-You get to meet the official mascot of the WPC “Parky the Raccoon” and find out all the places that he has traveled throughout the world. What a jet setter!
-There are hundreds of activities and lectures to educate yourself about everything from “Living well with PD” to “Protein clearance deficits in PD: Beyond the Lysosome.” Because everyone knows what a Lysosome is…duh! Wait, what is it?
-You get to bump elbows with the leading researchers, surgeons, clinicians that devote their lives to the battle against Parkinson’s disease. You’re kind of with the band!
-Portland is beautiful in September. Isn’t that reason enough?
-With thousands of awesome people that have been impacted by Parkinson’s, you will have a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
-I asked my Dad why people should go to the WPC and he responded, “Everyone has a piece of the Parkinson’s puzzle and when we come together to share our experiences and knowledge, we are one step closer to understanding this devastating disease.” Go Dad! Now you see why I’m freakishly smart?
-They have a renewal room where you can experience interactive sessions such as yoga, dance, singing, drumming and other cool activities that will get you up and moving. Feeling fatigued? Check out the massage/reiki, or the meditation/prayer room and get your Zen on.
-The exhibition hall will give you an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in medical supplies and equipment, technology, pharmaceuticals and medical publishing.
Well if that was not enough to persuade you to making that trip to Portland… you can meet me! I will be there! I will be doing a Roundtable on Thursday September at 1:30pm-3pm- DBS: Advice from one PwP to another and a lecture on Friday September 23rd at 1:30pm-3pm-Sex and Parkinson’s: How doctors can help their patients and what patients need to know.
-And don’t forget to get your “Perky Parkie’s Wolfpack” sticker when you meet me. Then we can see how far our Wolfpack extends.
Click here to get more information or to register for the World Parkinson’s Congress 2016 in Portland from September 20th-23rd. Hope to see you all there!
I will be there. But I’m going to get away and eat unhealthy for a few days. My wife will be back in school (actually started back a few weeks ago) so she can’t make it. My daughter who I haven’t see in a couple of years is going to fly out and meet me in Portland. It should be interesting because her grandfather had PD when she was young. I hope to get progressing news for us Parkys.
Hi, Allison! My hubby and I were asked to go as reps to Portland and we can’t since we will be on vacation! What a chance that would have been! We were asked to go since he has the duopa pump and does so well with it. Guess we can’t do it all 🙁 ENJOY!!!
Bummer! That would have been great!
Hi: It’s Laurine from Calgary…I’m the one in the photo you posted in the back row left corner! Looking forward to seeing you again in Portland! I love your blog posts and positive vibe!
Thank you! See you in Portland!
I regretted not going to Montreal. Wasn’t sure if I could attend this one, but finally signed up about a month, going to participate in thecWPC Choir and hopefully your Roundtable and session. Looking forward to seeing you and others! People who are thinking of attending should note that hotels are filling up quickly. Best to do flight/hotel packages.
Sounds like a great event. I missed Montreal, hoped I would get to Portland. I even signed up as a Volunteer to get into workshops at no cost. Well, add flight, rooms, and if volunteering you need to be there an extra couple of days…food etc. I can’t afford to fly from Toronto to Portland and stay in hotel and volunteer five hours per day. When will I get to partake in any workshops?
Hopefully others on disability will be able to afford to go. This parkie can’t do it!
So sorry to hear your struggle to make it to WPC. I will pass on your feedback.
Thank you for posting about this very important event. My wife and I hold World Parkinson Congress in a special light. It is like the super bowl of Parkinson’s events. Unlike any other PD conference, WPC is a global gathering of everything Parkinson’s. People from all over the globe descend on a host city and is unique because it brings doctors, patients, caregivers, researchers, medical vendors, pharmaceutical companies and more under one roof. We are looking forward to learning what other countries are doing from support to science and getting together with our international friends. There is something for everyone. Once you go, it will change your life. It did ours.
I’ll be there! I was hoping to share my parkie poetry, but didn’t get a “recovery room.” i’m going to look for a local poetry venue to share it somehow anyway. i love your blog. hope to meet you in the #1 city in amerika for vegans (of which i be one). i didn’t want to go at all at first, assuming it was all medical. i’m not hot on the medical side of things–being more of an “alternative” kind of guy (and probably as old as your dad). but a staff member of davis phinney foundation convinced me. your blog re-assured me!
There is sooooo much more to get involved with other than the medical side of it! So happy to hear that you will be going!