Research demonstrates that people with Parkinson’s who regularly participate in wellness programs have a better quality of life. In addition to improved fitness, benefits include better symptom control, improved mental health and extended independence.  

Come join us for our 2nd annual Health & Wellness Expo webinar, taking place on Wednesday, September 20 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern. We will hear from Rebecca Zaidlin, Neurosciences Specialist Physiotherapist and Co-owner of One Step Ahead Mobility, who will discuss the role of healthcare professionals and Physiotherapists as expert consultants for self-management of Parkinson’s, the complementary nature of movement programs and physiotherapy, and questions on the right time to consult a Physiotherapist in your Parkinson’s journey. Glenda Doucet-Boudreau will also join us to share how she found her own health and wellness “fit,” and a few tips on how you can find yours too. 

Participants will have the opportunity to sample their choice of two LIVE wellness program demonstrations or discussions during the webinar.  

You can choose from: 

1. Physiotherapy: How You Move in Your Everyday Activities self-assessment 
2. Get LOUD Stay LOUD program 
3. Movement for People with Parkinson’s program (participants: have a small, soft tennis-sized ball nearby) 
4. Parkinson’s & the Alexander Technique program 
5. DopaBeats drumming program (participants: have something to bang on nearby) 
6. NeuroSask: Active and Connected program 

For many people, the most difficult part of participating in wellness programs is the first step of building a new habit, getting started. The best way to guarantee you’ll stick with it is to find activities and programs that feel right for you. Each person with Parkinson’s comes to the table with their own unique personality, interests, physical abilities, and confidence levels. Join us on September 20 as we explore a variety of Parkinson’s health and wellness offerings and find the ones that “fit” best for you.  

Breakout Rooms

BREAKOUT ROOM #1: Physiotherapy: How you move in your everyday activities (self-assessment) 

Rebecca Zaidlin, BPT MSc, Neurosciences Specialist Physiotherapist 

One Step Ahead Mobility 

For many people living with Parkinson’s, the first time they connect with a Physiotherapist is when they’ve taken a fall or been otherwise injured. Living in our own bodies every day, we often don’t notice subtle changes – occurring slowly and over time resulting in small, incremental adaptations to the way we move – that get us to the point where the chance of injury or disability is real.  Are you moving safely and efficiently?  Join this session where you’ll see how certain activities of daily living (ADLs) should look – and what it looks like when the Parkinson’s journey is negatively affecting those ADLs.  You might be surprised to see where you are on that spectrum. 

BREAKOUT ROOM #2: Get LOUD Stay LOUD 

Sarah Awde, M.Cl.Sc., Reg. CASLPO 

Get LOUD Stay LOUD 

Get LOUD Stay LOUD is an online Parkinson’s-specific speech and voice exercise program offering daily “tune in and follow along” speech and voice exercise classes that specifically target the communication and swallowing issues that occur with Parkinson’s. Classes can also be accessed on demand. All their speech pathologists are certified in LSVT LOUD, the gold standard of Parkinson’s voice intervention. 

Sarah Awde is an Ontario registered speech-language pathologist with nearly 20 years of experience working with adults with every manner of communication and swallowing impairment. She now works exclusively with individuals with Parkinson’s disease to help optimize communication and swallowing function. 

BREAKOUT ROOM #3: Movement for People with Parkinson’s 

Sarah Martens, PWR! Moves-certified 

From the Ground Up 

Movement for People with Parkinson’s is an online 12-week program focusing – in rotation – three main themes: (1) quality of movement/dynamics (fast vs slow, sharp vs soft); (2) rhythmic engagement/musicality in movement; and (3) stimulating cognitive function, memory and spatial awareness. You can participate in the program either seated or standing. Bring a small soft foam ball; if not available, a tennis ball or similar type will work.  

Sarah Martens (she/her) has been a movement teacher since 2009. Sarah’s background in dance and theatre studies influences her approach to teaching movement for People with Parkinson’s- from vocal exercises to incorporating imagery into mobility work. Sarah is a certified PWR!Moves instructor, as well as beginning her Dancing with Parkinson’s practicum teaching this Fall and embarking on a training program for bringing dance to older adults and people with dementia. 

BREAKOUT ROOM #4: Parkinson’s & the Alexander Technique 

Kasia Malec, ATC/CanStat certified Alexander Technique Teacher 

Physique by Kasia 

Parkinson’s & the Alexander Technique is a posture and alignment method that teaches us that our “backbone” – literally our strength, resilience, and agility – is found in our spine, the place where we can rediscover ease and empowerment, and let go of pain, discomfort or dis-ease. In this program, you will learn the 3 secret superpowers that help us to stand, sit, walk, eat and talk with more freedom and ease, and to rediscover a relaxed body that is more resilient, poised and graceful throughout our day.   

Kasia Malec works with individuals of all shapes, sizes and experiences, from seniors including those living with Parkinson’s, to new parents, competitive athletes, special-needs children and employees in the workplace. She is an ATC/CanSTAT-certified Alexander Technique teacher and professional dancer with more than 30 years of dance and movement training. She has worked with numerous Canadian and international business leaders to advance and nurture employee wellness both at home and in the workplace. She is also a proud partner of Parkinson Canada. Her studies have included classical ballet, Kniaseff floor-barre, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Pilates, yoga, fitness, and American Sign Language. She has been teaching primarily in New York City, Toronto, and Montreal. The Alexander Technique is an essential part of Kasia’s ongoing development as a teacher, public speaker and international performing artist who has worked in television, music and dance. 

BREAKOUT ROOM #5: DopaBeats (bring something you can drum on) 

Doug Pickard, BS, BCRPA, PWR! Moves-certified 

DopaBeats; Fluid Fitness 

DopaBeats has taken many of the elements of a standard drum circle and given them a Parkinson’s twist. In a typical class, you will use the drum to express your feelings, improve motor skills, connect with others, improve your mind-body connection, improve mood and cognition, practice vocalization to increase vocal strength and power and improve dual-task ability. Upcoming class schedules are listed on the DopaBeats website.  

Doug Pickard, Owner/Operator Fluid Fitness Studio, has been working with people living with Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years as an exercise/fitness specialist, support group facilitator, Davis Phinney Foundation Ambassador, and more recently through his Parkinson’s-specific drumming program – DopaBeats. After graduating from university with a degree in English and Psychology, Doug began working with older adults living with chronic illnesses, such as Parkinson’s, dementia, and the debilitating effects of stroke. While Doug focused solely on fitness and exercise during the start of his career, he began to add music to his repertoire. He is a REMO Health Rhythms facilitator and member of the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild. Doug currently leads drum circles, music therapy sessions at group homes and DopaBeats sessions, as well as a full schedule of fitness classes (including Rock Steady Boxing classes). 

BREAKOUT ROOM #6: NeuroSask: Active and Connected 

Dr. Sarah Donkers, BSc, MPT, MSc, PhD 

University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine School of Rehabilitation Science 

NeuroSask: Active and Connected is a virtual program tailored to people with neurological conditions. We provide physiotherapy-guided movement and expert information on brain health and wellness topics. Classes begin with a seated ‘Active’ portion led by a physiotherapist focused on alignment, seated postural control, body awareness, range of motion, and muscle activation, with some resistance training and bouts of cardio sprinkled throughout. On alternating days, the ‘Active’ session is followed by alternating 30-minute Stretching (range of motion, pain, and spasticity management) or ‘Connect’ sessions (expert guest speakers). 

Dr. Sarah Donkers (MPT, PhD) is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine. She is a neuro-physiotherapist by clinical training and a neuroscientist by research training. Sarah’s work focuses on improving access to and quality of neurorehabilitation interventions that promote recovery and optimize the quality of life for individuals with neurological conditions.  

Presenters

• 

  Rebecca Zaidlin, BPT MSc, Neurosciences Specialist Physiotherapist Co-Owner, One Step Ahead Mobility

  Rebecca Zaidlin has been in physiotherapy (PT) clinical practice for more than 30 years, focusing on neurological and geriatric rehabilitation. She has completed an advanced degree and extensive post-graduate training and certification (including both LSVT® BIG and PWR!™ for Parkinson’s). Rebecca completed her PT Clinical Specialist Certification through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) in Neurosciences in 2012.  

  Rebecca is committed to best practices and since 1997, has developed, implemented, and systematically evaluated PT services for Parkinson’s at organizations in the Greater Toronto Area including Baycrest, Toronto Public Health, and the Centre for Movement Disorders. She provides post-graduate training for healthcare professionals in Parkinson’s, is a lecturer in the Graduate Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto and regularly presents on PT intervention in Parkinson’s at national and international scientific conferences. 

• 

  Glenda Doucet-Boudreau

  Glenda Doucet-Boudreau is a retired registered nurse who started her Parkinson's journey in 2020. She started her volunteer community involvement as a teenager with the 4-H movement and her mom as a role model. Glenda's philosophy was, “If it doesn’t exist, we'll build it.” And so, it was for family daycare, a preschool program, a Well Women's Clinic, homogeneous French schools, and an Asthma support group; a very capable group of people working hard together to achieve their goal was the winning combination. Glenda's causes have been wellness, education, and women’s issues. She has received several distinctions the latest being the 'Donner le meilleur de soi ' medal presented by the Lieutenant Governor of NS in the spring of 2023.  

  Not being interested in sports but being aware of the importance of exercise for someone with Parkinson’s, Glenda joins us to share about her search for activities she would enjoy, and her finding ones that fit her lifestyle and now bring her joy every day. 

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Contact information

1-800-565-3000
webinars@parkinson.ca