NEW YORK, April 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In honor of Parkinson's Awareness Month, the full month of April, the World Parkinson Coalition (WPC) is holding its first ever virtual Parkinson's Sing-A-Long led by WPC Choir Director, Judi Spencer. Past members of the WPC Choir who performed at the 4th and 5th World Parkinson Congresses will come together with up to 500 other members of the global Parkinson's community on four occasions to sing together in April.
The WPC hosts the most unique international scientific conference in the Parkinson's space. Every three years the WPC brings together basic scientists, neurologists, general physicians, nurses, rehab specialists, clinicians, as well as people with Parkinson's (PwP) and their care partners to learn about Parkinson's, build collaborations, and expand our understanding of a disease that impacts more than 10 million people worldwide.
"While the World Parkinson Congress is a scientific meeting, creativity plays a unique role in the overall program," said Elizabeth Pollard, WPC Executive Director. "Each WPC offers a variety of creative endeavors to complement the science and research. We believe that by weaving creativity into one's wellness plan, individuals can have a better quality of life. Not only do artistic endeavors help exercise the mind, they bring great joy to the artist and to those around the artist."
Many people with Parkinson's experience symptoms that impact their speaking and swallowing. The weakening of the muscles in the throat can cause people with Parkinson's to experience loss of voice, decreased ability to project their voice and may lead to swallowing and respiratory complications. While all people with Parkinson's are encouraged to work with a Speech Language Pathologist from the day of diagnosis, there are many fun things that patients can do on their own to support the voice training they receive, such as joining a choir and engaging in regular singing activities.
The WPC Parkinson's Sing-A-Long is a way to support the global Parkinson's community by encouraging them to continue to use and exercise their voices even while self-isolating due to COVID-19. Registration and details can be found at https://wpc2022.org/choir
Parkinson's Sing-A-Long Dates
Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 5PM ET
Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 1PM ET
Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 5PM ET
Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 1PM ET
"Leading the WPC Choir has always brought me such joy," said choir director, Judi Spencer of Seattle, Washington, USA. "I always look forward to the choir coming together at each World Parkinson Congress, and am pleased we can bring them together virtually in this way. The joy of singing is so important for health and wellness and has a magical way of lessening the emotional toll of self-isolation."
Learn more about the Parkinson's Sing-Along and WPC Choir at https://wpc2022.org/page/choir
About the World Parkinson Coalition® and WPC 2022
The World Parkinson Coalition Inc. provides an international forum for learning about the latest scientific discoveries, medical practices, caregiver initiatives and advocacy work related to Parkinson's disease. The triennial World Parkinson Congresses provide a space for the global Parkinson's community of researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, people with Parkinson's and their care partners to meet in person, network, and discuss advances in Parkinson's research, improve understanding and promote advocacy worldwide, while influencing future research and care options. The WPC 2022 will attract more than 4,500 delegates.
About Parkinson's Disease
Affecting nearly one million Americans and 10 million people worldwide, Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. There is no cure for Parkinson's and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.
SOURCE World Parkinson Coalition
Share this article