By Carlene Cobb
New records were set at the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s third annual Parkinson’s EXPO this year on Feb. 29. The EXPO has been the largest educational Parkinson’s event of its kind in the U.S., bringing top PD thought leaders in the country together under one roof and providing attendees with an array of resources. The goal of the EXPO is for each attendee to leave with information they can use the same day. Below are highlights:
More than 1,400 people attended The Parkinson’s EXPO with 123 attendees from states other than Florida as well as Canada, Ghana and the Ukraine. Though the crowd was large, many attendees shared that they felt “less alone” and “at ease” in a warm community of hundreds of people sharing similar experiences.
More than 100 volunteers delivered over 1,400 complimentary box lunches in under 10 minutes to the EXPO crowd.
Robyn Faucy-Washington unveiled the name and branding of the new educational program: Neuro Challenge NETWORK, Parkinson’s Education and Training Solutions Program will deliver educational materials to medical and healthcare staff and professionals in various medical settings starting in January 2021.
Exercise delays the progression of Parkinson’s and the popular Interactive Demonstration Area featured: Rock Steady Boxing, Pedaling with Parkinson’s and “Dancing Through Parkinson’s,” the Neuro Challenge movement and dance class is offered in Pinellas and Sarasota counties as well as other activities. Here, an attendee practices boxing.
To provide the broadest array of options, exhibitors included medication and device manufacturers, healthcare and home health agencies, human services organizations, research and advocacy groups.
About: Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. Neuro Challenge provides programs, services, care advising and community resource referrals in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Pinellas, Marion, and Highlands counties. All NCF programs and services are provided at no charge. Find out more at (941) 926-6413 or visit the NCF website NeuroChallenge.org.
Photos by Karen Arango
