Parkinson's Quilt Debuts at WPC!

It was a year in the making...but last night marked the debut of the Parkinson's Quilt!

The quilt, a project of PDF, includes 2x2 foot panels from more than 600 people from around the world. After the WPC Opening Ceremonies yesterday, the Royal Burgh of Renfrew Pipe Band led thousands of attendees into the exhibit hall...

...and for the first time the world saw the Parkinson's Quilt.

We have all been touched by the personal stories told by the quilt panels. As PDF's Executive Director noted,

"Each quilt panel has a story to tell, whether it was created by a person with Parkinson's about his or her experience, or by a care partner, family member or friend, in honor of a loved one living with the disease. These individuals illustrate the truly global nature of the quilt, and of Parkinson's disease. When the quilt is displayed for the first time this week at the World Parkinson Congress, it will radiate the contributions of these individuals and others like them who have been touched by Parkinson's. It will also remind the world that we need increased awareness and funds to find a cure."

Some other quilt highlights:

• Quilters have been stopping by the PDF informational booth to say hello and we're getting to meet the people behind these beautiful panels.
• The exhibit includes a "Living Quilt" where people can create panels on site. So if you're in Glasgow, don't miss it!
• Each day there are several "Meet the Quilter" sessions. Today, our very own WPC reporter/CRLI grad/video competition Pam Quinn chatted about her quilt panels.
• Exciting announcement: In 2011, the Parkinson's Quilt will be available for rental to the general public. See PDF's website for more info.
• See the official Parkinson's Quilt press release here, which links to several profiles of our quilters.

Quilt Photos

Why a quilt for Parkinson's? This sign tells visitors how the quilt aims to raise awareness of the impact of PD on people living with it and their loved ones...and on our urgency for a cure.

The Living Quilt is being assembled on site.

The Living Quilt.

WPC attendees admire the quilt.

WPC Opening Ceremonies III

Rhona Johnson, one of PDF's WPC reporters and member of our People with Parkinson's Advisory Council, would like to follow-up on previous posts discussing last night's WPC Opening Ceremonies. Rhona and others communicated that they were particularly moved at the ceremonies by the words of Bryn Williams, founder of WobblyWilliams.com.

Here's Rhona's report:

"At the Opening Ceremonies last night, Bryn Williams, Founder of WobbyWilliams.com spoke eloquently of how PD impacts people living with the disease, their families, friends and carers. He issued an urgent challenge to them all the work for a cure, saying,

'Neurologists cannot do it alone. We cannot do it alone. People with Parkinson's are part of the solution.'

He urged us to work tirelessly and energetically to advocate and educate to find a cure."

What Do You Think?
If you have questions or comments for Rhona about her post, please click "Comment" or "Post a Comment" below.

WPC Opening Ceremonies Part II

Last night's opening ceremonies of the 2nd World Parkinson Congress included not only inspirational words, but also action...in the form of the newly-announced Global Parkinson's Pledge.

With just one click, you can make your voice heard and help to make Parkinson's a priority around the world. The final two lines of the Global Parkinson's Pledge speak to its purpose:

"Furthermore, we celebrate the momentum created by the second World Parkinson Congress and commit ourselves to working together to build a global Parkinson’s movement, designed to elevate Parkinson’s disease as a priority health, social and economic issue around the world."

The Parkinson's community aims to have one million pledge signatures by the next World Parkinson Congress in Montreal in 2013!

Sign the pledge today to ensure Parkinson's is a priority around the world.

WPC Opening Ceremonies, Part I

The opening ceremonies of the 2nd World Parkinson Congress (WPC) included some inspiring and informative moments. Here are some quick highlights:

• Andrew Lees, M.D., Master of Ceremonies, opened the program and introduced the evening's speakers, including Glasgow's Lord Provost who welcomed everyone to the city.
  
  
• BBC News Presenter Jane Hill presented awards to Tony Cox and Pam Quinn, the winners of the WPC video competition. Special congratulations to Pam, a graduate of PDF's Clinical Research Learning Institute. (Watch her video!)



• Grace Griffith wowed everyone with two songs, accompanied by a guitarist. (See Grace's work on PDF's Creativity and PD site).
  
  
• Stanley Fahn, M.D., Co-Chair of the WPC and PDF's Scientific Director, discussed the history of the WPC, including the instrumental role of PDF and our Executive Director Robin Elliott in putting the first meeting together four years ago.



• Gavin Hastings, Former Rugby Captain of Scotland and the British Lions, announced that his wife Diane is living with Parkinson's and discussed his commitment to fighting it.



• PDF's on-site reporters, tell us they were especially moved by comments from Bryn Williams, who founded Wobbly Williams. (Read Bryn's full speech here).



• The next WPC will take place in 2013 in Montreal.
  

We have posted a few photos on our Flickr account and can't wait to share more as the sessions get underway tomorrow.