In 2018, we were pleased to have witnessed impact in our community, made possible through education, advocacy, and a strong online presence. We continued to inform our decisions by building and maintaining connections with the variety of individuals that rely on us, including carepartners, families, people with Parkinson’s disease, and healthcare professionals.
Highlights from 2018 include:
- Providing training for 37 allied healthcare professionals from across BC to expand their knowledge of Parkinson’s and appropriate therapies, as well as establish a connection with the Society
- Publishing a new resource, A Comprehensive Guide for Parkinson’s Caregivers, which addresses the many aspects of providing support to a person with Parkinson’s, as well as tools for self-care
- Advocating for the expansion of the Deep Brain Stimulation program in British Columbia, which included working with media, and the creation of a petition that collected over 21,000 signatures
- Expanding our counselling program to provide people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones with extra support to process emotions, overcome challenges, and problem solve
- Implementing PD Connect, a program providing healthcare professionals with the tools to refer people with Parkinson’s, and their families, to support services available through the Society
- Continuing to fund leading-edge research through the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and the Parkinson Canada Research Program to improve understanding, treatment options and search for a cure
Looking forward to 2019, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we reflect on the many accomplishments that have been made possible by you. Thank you for putting your trust in us to serve the needs of the Parkinson’s community.