ProfileLloyd Cowin Lloyd Cowin Lloyd is an active volunteer with Parkinson Canada and has participated in several Parkinson’s research studies. Over the course of his career, Lloyd was a member of an institution‐wide patient advisory committee, program‐focused community advisory committee and a family advisory committee. Since retiring in 2014, Lloyd has been a member of Parkinson Canada’s government relations advocacy committee and Ontario advisory committee and Eastern Ontario’s Parkinson advisory committee. He was also a board member and chair of the governance committee for the Champlain Hospice Palliative Care Program. Lloyd has worked with vulnerable populations his entire career – people who have suffered a brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, severe accidents, amputations, etc. He has also coached, officiated and organized wheelchair sports and most recently volunteered with adults with developmental disabilities in a pool program. What motivates you to be a part of the Council? Including the perspective and voice of those with Parkinson’s strengthens the planning, strategy and evaluation of the ongoing work of finding a cure, improving care and supporting individuals. The PAC will provide this opportunity and I look forward to contributing to this work. What is a key message that you think people living with Parkinson’s or care partners need to hear? There is hope in research of new drugs, use of technologies in care, and in understanding the neurophysiology of Parkinson’s. Therefore, it is important to not give up or give in to the disease, but to get up and get on with life. What part of Parkinson Canada’s work are you most passionate about (i.e., research, advocacy, support, etc.) and why? While all of Parkinson Canada’s work is valuable, it is the only organization that advocates nationally for all Canadians with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. For this reason, I most value its advocacy work – with access to new medications and technologies, for improved access to Movement Disorder Specialists and interdisciplinary care, and for raising awareness of the needs of people with Parkinson’s. Share this post: