Author: Christine

Popular Choice Award at WPC 2023 goes to Ray of Hope

‘Ray of Hope’ wins the Popular Choice Award at the  World Parkinson’s Congress 2023

19th July 2023

Christine Jeyachandran’s video ‘Ray of Hope’ won the people’s choice video competition at the World Parkinson’s Congress in early July.

The video was featured in the World Parkinson’s Congress opening ceremony in front of thousands people at the  in Barcelona, Spain. The video tells the story of Ray and Ana Maria, an Irish Peruvian couple living in Peru who are dealing with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, the stigma associated with the disease.

Christine, who has had Young Onset Parkinson’s from the age of 37,  directed and edited Ray of Hope. “Ray and Ana Maria found my video Handstand for Parkinson’s  which was a finalist in the WPC video competition in 2019, in Japan.  We decided to meet as we both were living in Peru and became friends.

Christine decided to make a documentary to raise awareness about Parkinson and interviews 5 people including Ray. She has been unable to complete this project but was struck by Ray’s eloquence and decided to make ‘Ray of Hope’ as a short film for the Congress video competition for 2023.

Ray and Ana Maria are involved in a support group in Lima for people affected by Parkinson’s (patients and carers). Many with Parkinson’s face physical challenges as well as depression and isolation which compounds their decline. Many lack access to information and resources.

Christine wanted to get Ray and Ana María to attend the Congress to get further resourced to help the people in Peru with Parkinson. She put the video in the name of Ray, that if by chance it won, the prize would help Ray get to the conference. Christine was already booked in to attend and speak, but Ray received a travel grant and support from the WPC to help them get there. They are so grateful.

The video has views and votes from Peru, Australia, Ireland, from Latin America and throughout the world. Christine and the protagonists want to thank everyone who voted and helped them win the people’s choice award.

Christine says “Ray was overjoyed with the win. He travelled to Spain to receive the award and his sibling came from Ireland to see him there”.

Although Christine video didn’t win in 2019, she was so inspired by the Congress she started a support group on her community in the south of Peru, where she was living at the time and cofounded  Spanish-speaking Alliance of stakeholders advocating for better care and research was chosen as an ambassador for the WPC. She sees that the congress has enthused Ana Maria and Ray.

Ray: I told my story because I wanted to break free! I felt oppressed by Parkinson’s. By opening up to the world and sharing my story I believe I helped myself and others see the hope beyond the disease.

Christine: “The comments and feedback has been encouraging and it is our hope Ray of Hope will challenge the stigma associated with Parkinson’s. Some say in the west but if there is no stigma, then why do so many people hide their diagnosis”. 

Please share this video to help people understand Parkinson’s but also note that everyone experiences Parkinson’s differently,

https://youtu.be/moq1JRD4qPs

 

https://youtu.be/moq1JRD4qPs

Handstand for Parkinson’s: https://youtu.be/h1B6kUgN6WQ

 

Travel Tips (Ready to Fly ) For People with Parkinson’s and regular folk too)

I have lived overseas for over 10 years and I am a seasoned traveller. These tips come from experiences I had and there is a story behind each one. We don’t have space for each story but trust me, I have your best interests at heart:

  • Buy lightweight luggage to ease the load.
  • Always have a handbag attached to you with meds, water, tissues, masks, glasses, wallet and passport. This bag maybe additional to your hand luggage as getting things in and out of the overhead compartments is very hard on the flight.  
  • Don’t fill your suitcase or hand luggage – leave space to buy something or receive a gift or take a gift for someone
  • Travel with others for support if you can
  • Arrive a day or two early, to rest before the event. 
  • Book connecting flights if you can, 3 hours between, or longer if unconnected
  • Always arrive 3 hours before your flight at your airport  
  • Ask for a wheelchair at airport (if you have Parkinson’s) in case your meds are off, the immigration line can be a killer – snaking around for hours. 
  • Carry a spare set of clothes in your hand luggage – flight delays, spills, disasters, either way it’s nice to have it handy. 
  • Expect medication issues – My meds don’t work well if I slept poorly 
  • Pack extra medications, several places in different bags
  • Use comfortable clothes for cold flights, but layers that you can peel off as needed. I find airports and flights vary greatly in temperature. One minute you are freezing the next you are sweating. 
  • Wear plants without a belts for simplicity and slip on shoes that are worn in
  • Ask a fellow passenger for help, especially lifting bags up or pushing the compartment closed. 
  • Google account etc- cell backup with someone you trust –  I had trouble with this but having your passwords on a program like Lass Pass can help you if you have problems with authentication

I have many other tips but this is a starting point. Safe travels!

The World Parkinson’s Congress is almost here

It has been 3.5 years in the making. I became an Ambassador in February 2020 and we’ve met bi – monthly with the ambassadors ever since.  So it’s surreal that the congress is finally a reality. So much work has gone into it and there are over 3000 people registered. There is still time to register and or sponsor the event so never fear.

The 6th World Parkinson Congress (WPC 2023) will be held in Barcelona, Spain from July 4 – 7, 2023. Everyone in the community who is touched by Parkinson’s, whether a researcher, physician, family member, clinician, nurse, or rehab specialist is welcome to attend the WPC 2023. World Parkinson Congresses are 100% inclusive scientific events.

WPC 2023 will be taking place at the International Barcelona Convention Center at Plaça de Willy Brandt, 11-14, Barcelona, Spain 08019. This location is convenient to the subway system and hotels that will have rooms for delegates.

Where to find me at the congress including 3 speaking opportunities:

  1. Tuesday 5th July – In Foundations workshop –  By booking only 
  2. I’m on the WPC Booth, Banquet Room on Wednesday 11:15- 1:30 
  3. Thursday 6th July 12:30 pm

Workshop: Reaching Underserved Communities in Latin America 

Host: Christine Jeya (Australia)

Where: Support Group Leaders room is # 312. Hosted by the PMD Alliance

What: Interactive learnings about needs, challenges and strengths in Latin America. I am so excited about this session as I am making it super interactive so you can understand the needs and frustrations of living with PD in South America and also the opportunities and joys.

       4. Friday 7th July 3pm UNANNOUNCED SESSION and location – I will update the details here.

       5. Also my video RAY of HOPE will be shown at the beginning of a session but I don’t know when it will be.  Last time the session at              9am  started with the same short listed video so if you are in attendance you shouldn’t miss my video.

 

There is much more going on and I look forward to meeting folk in person and hope I remember names and faces. My husband David is a volunteer too and is signing up for extra volunteer sessions, bless his soul. He said they need more help!

David and I will have a few weeks holiday with family and friends in the lead up to the congress but I still have a little preparation on the side. 

If you haven’t signed up for the congress it is not too late. 

https://wpc2023.org/

Thanks for all your support 

Christine Jeyachandran 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday the 15 April – Fundraiser

We’re having a fundraiser picnic this coming Saturday 15 April,  we’ll provide cake, fruit and other snacks and drinks. Just come to catch up or Donate to shake it up fundraiser.

We have removed the specifics of where from this public announcement – but us contact directly if you are local and you’d like to support. Support via online donation welcome too.

Donations: https://pause4parkinsons2023.raisely.com/t/christinesparkinsonspicnic?fbclid=IwAR2FuExRAZ83AQo9-W-o8mKih4N74HJt77aLRItzvLHq8RoaR4mwcU53LRQ

 

Thanks for all the votes and views for Ray of Hope. The video seems to be going a bit viral (small scale with almost 2800 views) so please share it, like and comment which helps the algorithm of YouTube share the video simply because it’s already trending and most of all DONT FORGET TO VOTE BEFORE THE 20TH APRIL

VOTE for RAY OF HOPE:

https://web.cvent.com/survey/c8190b9c-c629-439a-afff-e516c2ba3cab/welcome?fbclid=IwAR3tGAYOwE0RCAv6TdUridpGWLJIqa9nwvnCXY2k3xSXf9JncQABtmay6ik

VOTE FOR RAY OF HOPE

My video RAY OF HOPE has been short-listed to the World Parkinson Congress VIDEO competition 2023,  so I need 4 minutes of your time. I entered the video under the name of the protagonist. RAY FEENEY, not Christine Jeyachandran.

To win the popular vote, Ray and I need your vote. 

You can only vote once and for this reason they take your name and email but they don’t put you on a mailing list. It is to discourage dishonesty. Please vote only once and kindly recruit your family and friends to vote too.

Step 1.  Go to this page to watch the top 12, or Just Ray of Hope https://wpc2023.org/page/Top12-WPC2023

Step 2. You can skip the videos and just vote

https://web.cvent.com/survey/c8190b9c-c629-439a-afff-e516c2ba3cab/welcome

The button START appears – Press it then vote for RAY OF HOPE – RAY FEENEY

(As per the images)

 

Thank-you for your vote and support. You can also note my other video got an honorary mention. It is called: INVIGORATE

 

 

Love, self discipline and power: Happy International Women’s Day ladies.

I started school with my mother as my teacher. I was quick to disappear from the classroom across to the other side of the village when someone knocked on the door. My Mum was the local nurse who happened to pull out teeth and deliver babies too as she was a trained midwife. From her example I learnt to help those in need. Maybe because of my flighty ways I went to boarding school at 7 year 11 months, and I was up to the grade so my teacher had me repeat a grade without them consulting my parents. I eventually learnt how to work hard. Now I finishing of my second masters degree I encourage other women to know that we are more capable of more than we can imagine. Physically too. Set your mind to something and ask for help if you are lost and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

And as you go always be  encouraging others along the journey too. I now work in Public Health too just like my Mum who clearly influenced me. Thanks Mum!

We all have moments of fear but if we choose Love and self-dicipline we are powerful indeed.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline”.

I have a dream ….for Club Dopamine!

A research survey found a significant number of Latin American (Llibre Guerra et al; 2022) people had Parkinson’s Disease symptoms but had NEVER  been diagnosed and not had medical or neurological attention.

The study didn’t ask why but we can imagine some don’t know what Parkinson’s is and others or those same people hide because of stigma and discrimination.  They become isolated which worsens their disability and increases immobility.

Parkinson’s disease has no CURE.

Raising awareness about Parkinson’s is crucial to prevent late diagnosis and start early physiotherapy/exercise.

We must explain that PD is not a curse, your fault or something to be ashamed of.

We are taking action to prevent discrimination and isolation and encourage holistic treatment including exercise which can help symptoms considerably.

We  need  help!

I have a small project I’d like to find funding for that aims to empower people with Parkinson’s (PWP) to thrive:

– to be understood,

– to stop isolation,

– and to get treatment!

Over the last few years advocates have emerged who are willing to share their stories about living with Parkinson’s in Peru. The daily struggles,  the small triumphs and the ongoing battle inspire us to continue. My story has inspired people to exercise to improve their Parkinson’s symptoms and Dorys’ story about the family’s sacrifice has had immense international feedback.

I just published Ray’s story , and it is turning heads and breaking stigma. In 3 weeks it has had 1000 views and lovely comments.  All this without  marketing, imagine what we could do if we had a marketing budget.

Stories connect us. Stories about family. The love seeps into our hearts: strained voices, biting of lips, and love in a look. We have these treasures(interviews) in our hands as I filmed them with a professional in 2021  but they need to be edited and marketed for maximum exposure.

I can’t take this on. I’d like to see it created into a documentary for a film festival. It will give an editor a wonderful creative opportunity. They’re in Spanish but modern technology means this isn’t a barrier. I don’t know how it is going to get made but I have faith it will be made and will be a powerful approach to breaking down stigma but not in an educational boring way…

Watch the first story which happens to be in English and catch a bit of the essence of this project.

I have a dream….but I have had many dreams and I know I often get above and beyond what I expect. It is happening in my life right now …but that’s another story.

I dream not for myself but for those who message me in pain in the middle  of the night, Sara has no neurologist, no exercise coach, she can’t sleep  because of the pain.

For Sara and many more… For Club Dopamine!  May this project get the funding or passionate philanthropist it needs.

Llibre-Guerra JJ, Prina M, Sosa AL, Acosta D, Jimenez-Velazquez IZ, Guerra M, et al. Prevalence of parkinsonism and Parkinson disease in urban and rural populations from Latin America: A community based study. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas. 2022 Mar;7:100136.

Ray’s story:

In Parkinson’s Life magazine today

I shared with the magazine a few articles. They re-edited into a shorter version/ mix if the two articles.

The article online is in the link below. It is nice to be invited to participate regularly.

If you want to see the full article re carols by candlelight keep reading below.

https://parkinsonslife.eu/holiday-greetings-from-the-parkinsons-disease-community/

My favourite Christmas tradition in Australia

The sea of candle lights rise and fall, again and again, like the waves on the ocean; occasionally punctuated by us singing Hallelujah,  Hallelujah with each lift of our candles. We don’t know the rest of the words, no one cares. Handel’s Messiah is only meant for the choir and to help us create the dance of lights! Our flickering candles show that community joined together can dance so much more beautifully together than alone. 

An integral part of Christmas celebrations in Australia is Carols by Candlelight, held outdoors, as Christmas is in the summer down-under. These are held by local councils, communities and churches in local parks and in the city it is a televised event. The show consists of a variety of singers,  celebrities and choirs singing old fashioned Christmas song with a visit from Santa and Celebrities like the Wiggles (dancing and singing quartet). For a person with Parkinson’s to consider going,  it’s quite the undertaking.

For the uninitiated – let me explain.  Firstly, for me, getting into town takes about 45 mins plus a 10 minute walk at each end. Thankfully most days I am up for this but if you are not, you need to have a disabled car parking official permit (each country has their owns systems). 

Next challenge is because it is a free event you have to sit in your reserved spot on the grass from 1 or 2pm onward, until 7pm when the show time starts. Everyone brings a blanket and picnic basket and you can buy goodie packs that include the candles, song books and snacks and the proceeds go to the Salvation Army charity for the homeless.

Still still is tough, thankfully you can dance to the pre show entertainment and we (friends/ family members) take turns going for walks, visiting the facilities which include disabled toilets preshow. Despite doing lots of pilates, a helping hand to get up and down from the ground is good and we use low beach chairs for back support.

It is a long day for someone with PD, so I am prepared and willing to take a little siesta in the park if needed – but s eriously it is buzzing with noise. We talk, we play games, we meet our picnic rug neighbours.  This is a tradition from my childhood and my our children love it too and are glad it hasn’t been  cancelled, but as luck would have it I got COVID and we couldn’t attend this year. The unexpected yet again.  

The songs bring us back to the meaning a Christmas:The story of an unexpected baby, without a hospital bed, with unexpected visitors, and an unexpected life and death. We all face an unexpected future but the joy of music and community again brings me joy. 

Research has shown that those who are more active in community do better with Parkinson’s so make sure you renew or find new new traditions to get involved in community this Christmas. I hope you can join your community for Christmas again this year in whatever shape or form that might be.  Remember the sea of candles dancing. Join in the dance of lights because in community joined together can dance so much more beautifully together than alone.

Christine Jeyachandran’s profile:

Peer-Led Advocacy & Lived Experience

I have lived with Parkinson’s disease for over a decade, using my personal journey to lead advocacy, influence research priorities, and connect global voices—especially in Spanish-speaking communities. I have delivered over 30 talks, facilitated support groups, and developed award-winning short films to raise awareness and improve patient experiences.

Public Speaking Highlights

  • NeuRA Open Day, Patient Voice (Sept 2025)
  • 360 Faith – Speaker “Mountains and Valleys” (Nov 2025)
  • NSW Health talks: Falls Campion, Stroke/Parkinson’s Education and Health Literacy (staff and consumers)
  • TEDxCanberra – Shortlisted, Live Audition (reserve list, July 2024)
  • TEDxSydney – Shortlisted, Live Audition (July 2023)
  • World Parkinson’s Congress (2023)
    • Talk: How to Make the Most of the Congress (Day 0)
    • Lead Workshop: The Unmet Needs of People with Parkinson’s in Latin America (Day 2)
    • Film Q&A: Would You Sell Your House to Save Your Mother? (Day 3)
  • PMD Alliance ALL IN Conference – Workshop Speaker (Oct 2022)
  • Activate Parkinson’s Arequipa Conference (Nov 2022)
  • Reachout Conference – Workshop Panellist and Mainstage Interview (Sept 2022)
  • EUSU Event Speaker (Aug 2022)
  • Pitch Finalist – UNSW Founders NEW WAVE (June 2022)
  • Insight into Parkinson’s Online Conference (April 2020)

Webinars & Panels

  • Panellist – Alianza Iberoamericana (Dec 2023)
  • Represented WPC at Public Forum: Parkinson’s and Related Research (Feb 2023)
  • Panellist – Diva’s Luncheon (Mar 2022)
  • Events – Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center & Spanish Federación de Parkinson (Nov 2021)
  • Eastern Suburbs YOPD Support Group Speaker (Nov 2022)
  • Fight Parkinson’s Webinar for WPC (Aug 2022)
  • Davis Phinney Foundation – Hispanic WPC Promotion Video (Jan 2023)
  • Introduction to LSVT Webinar (Spanish, Nov 2020)
  • Panellist – Sustain Our Abilities Webinar (Apr 2021)
  • Panellist – Paso a Paso (Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, 2020–2021)

Television

  • Channel 9 News – Shake It Up Australia (May 2023)
  • Channel 10 News – Interview (Mar 2023)
  • TV Perú – Sin Barreras (Apr 2021)

Podcasts

Media Mentions

  • Consumers NSW (Feb 2025)
  • Parkinson’s Europe: “Off Periods” (Jan 2024) and “Fluctuations” (Dec 2023)
  • The Australian – “Parkinson’s Test to Give Patients Early Warning” (Apr 2023)
  • 7News.com.au – “Mum’s Warning Signs…” (2023)
  • Mindfood.com – “How You Can Help Find a Cure”
  • Survivormet.com – “Early Signs of Parkinson’s”
  • News.com.au – “Mum-of-Three’s Devastating Diagnosis”
  • Honey 9 News – “Sydney Mum’s Hidden Symptoms”
  • That’s Life Magazine – Aug/Sep 2023 (Shake It Up Australia feature)
  • Parkinson’s News Today – “Peruvian Family Sell Their Home to Afford Mother’s DBS” (Apr 2021)
  • Parkinson’s Life Magazine – multiple articles (2020–2022)
  • Diario Correo & Encuentro Perú Newspapers (2019–2020)
  • European Parkinson’s Disease Association – YOPD Feature (Feb 2018)

Volunteer Roles

  • World Parkinson’s Congress Alumni Ambassador (2020–2023)
  • Advocate, Shake It Up Australia (2023–ongoing)
  • Ambassador, PMD Alliance (2022–ongoing)
  • Global Parkinson’s Guide Committee Member (PMD Alliance, 2022–2023)

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