The 5th World Parkinson Congress will take place in Kyoto, Japan on June 4-7, 2019. These meetings are unique and deserve both our attention and support.

It is not just that the meeting brings together doctors, patients, researchers, caregivers, and other allied professionals together for 4 days to talk about all  things Parkinson’s. It is also not just that there are a variety of session formats and sizes that will highlight new research, models of care, and collaborations that are changing the lives of those living with Parkinson’s today.

What really sets this meeting apart — and the main reason I am going for the second time — is that People with Parkinson’s (PwP’s) are centerpieces and not just observers.  We are welcome to participate in any sessions that interest us.  We are encouraged to lead a session, to submit papers,  posters, videos and other media and messages.  In other words, we are true equal partners and contributors in every sense imaginable.  (Full disclosure:  I am an official blogger for the conference and in that capacity, will be sharing my experiences there.  But having attended the 4th Congress two years ago in Portland and enjoyed and learned from it immensely, I would be going to Kyoto in any event.  And it’s a trip to Japan.)

If it is even remotely possible that you can attend you owe it to yourself to seriously consider it.  What can you expect?

• The opportunity to meet people from around the world who are making a difference for those of us living with Parkinson’s.
• The opportunity to get to know other PwPs from around the world and to make new connections and, quite possibly, meaningful and close friends.
• The opportunity to learn the most up-to-date news about all things Parkinson’s.

There is, literally, something for everyone including PwPs and their caregivers/family.   (I told  Mr. Twitchy not to attend Portland because I worried there would not be anything for him.  Big mistake.  So I asked him to come this time and he is very much looking forward to going.  Did I mention it’s a trip to Japan?)

Registration begins next week on September 10.   The website is https://wpc2019.org/ (or you can just click here).  If you are interested in volunteering, click here for more information.  If finances are an issue, travel grant applications will also be available in December.

One last personal pitch.  Before you go, or even if you cannot go, make sure to participate in our “messages of hope.”  Three women who became good friends of mine at the 2016 WPC– Naomi, Clara and Amy — were so inspired that they created a global project, Soaring with Hope 4 PD,  to promote hope for People with Parkinson’s Disease.  Their goal is to collect at least 12,000 messages of hope to be written on origami Cranes that will be part of an art installation at the Congress.  Let’s all take the time to contribute to that.

* As an blogger, my “official” duties will be sharing my experiences.  But I hope to do more than that.  It would be wonderful to meet any of you who will be attending and also to create a photo gallery on the blog of as many of the PwPs I meet there as possible.  So please let me know if you plan to go.