A practical problem with the World Parkinson Congress
For the Parkinson’s community, it’s always exciting to hear news about the next World Parkinson Congress.
The conference brings together researchers, advocates, caregivers and PwP (people with Parkinson’s) every three years.
In 2023, more than 2,600 people attended the event, held in Barcelona, Spain. Organizers said then that the 2026 Congress would be in North America, and then left everyone to speculate on where for almost a year.
Drumroll, please
The big announcement happened about a week ago:
The 7th World Parkinson Congress will be held May 24-27, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
I’m sure hoping to attend. But here’s the rub:
The conference is two years away, and I don’t know what this disease will look like on me in May 2026.
Will I be able to walk without difficulty? Sit through a flight? Sleep somewhere away from home?
Who knows which of the long list of Parkinson’s symptoms will be my personal plagues by then?
Here’s a fact
It’s hard for a person with Parkinson’s to make future plans. There’s no way to predict how quickly the disease will progress.
(Interestingly, the word “progress” usually has a positive connotation. It’s basically a curse word for me now!)
The World Parkinson Congress sounds like a very worthwhile event where I could meet others with Parkinson’s and learn what researchers are up to.
There are sure to be accommodations there for people with mobility challenges. But in two years, I and others who are now in the early stages of Parkinson’s might not feel like attending at all.
This is frustrating for planner-types like me – a planning mindset just doesn’t jibe well with Parkinson’s disease! It’s one of those adjustments I’m still working on.
So …
I will do my best to remain positive. I’ve read the evidence that optimism can improve one’s health and well-being in a big way.
And I’ll continue to be active and exercise and hike as I’ve been doing, more than at any other time in my life. Hey, if it can slow the progress, count me in.
Still, I’ll probably wait a while to buy my Congress ticket.
Photo credits: Wan San Yip and Lucas Vasques
Thank you for sharing how Parkinsons’ affects your plans, even for advocacy about Parkinsons’ itself! That made me reflect on how you are prepared and intentional in your actions, and how exercise leaves many more doors open but you still are thinking ahead about how Parkinsons changes the doors that might be open to you in the future.
Thank you, Jaime. Even people who are aging without Parkinson’s can feel this way. But Parkinson’s sure turns up the volume on a person’s declining abilities.
Thank you Colleen. I so much enjoy reading your “travel logs”. They inspire me to want to go where ever you have been, but even if I can’t, just reading them is a wonderful experience.
I also appreciate getting to understand some of the world of Parkinson’s. I admire your determination to stay healthy and your hope for the future.
Such kind words, Yvonne. And the kind of words that make me feel like going on with this little project.