WORLD PARKINSON’S CONGRESS

RAYO DE ESPERANZA ganó el concurso de vídeos elegidos por el público en el Congreso Mundial de Parkinson

THIS ARTICLE APPEAR IN ENGLISH BELOW:

El vídeo de Christine Jeyachandran “Ray of Hope” (“Rayo de esperanza”) ganó el concurso de vídeos elegidos por el público en el Congreso Mundial de Parkinson celebrado a principios de julio.

El vídeo fue presentado en la ceremonia de apertura del Congreso Mundial de Parkinson, ante miles de personas en Barcelona (España). El vídeo cuenta la historia de Ray y Ana María, una pareja Irlandesa-Peruana que vive en Perú y se enfrenta al diagnóstico de Parkinson y al estigma asociado a la enfermedad.

Christine, que padece Parkinson de aparición temprana desde los 37 años, dirigió y editó Ray of Hope. “Ray y Ana María encontraron mi vídeo Handstand for Parkinson’s, que fue finalista en el concurso de vídeos WPC en 2019, en Japón.  Decidimos conocernos ya que ambos vivíamos en Perú y nos hicimos amigos.

Christine decidió hacer un documental para crear conciencia sobre el Parkinson y entrevistó a 5 personas incluyendo a Ray. No ha podido completar este proyecto, pero quedó impresionada por la elocuencia de Ray y decidió hacer “Ray of Hope” (Rayo de esperanza) como cortometraje para el concurso de vídeos del Congreso de 2023.

Ray y Ana María participan en un grupo de apoyo en Lima para personas afectadas por el Parkinson (pacientes y cuidadores). Muchos enfermos de Parkinson se enfrentan a problemas físicos, así también como la depresión y el aislamiento, que agravan su deterioro. Muchos carecen de acceso a información y recursos.

Christine quería que Ray y Ana María asistieran al Congreso para conseguir más recursos para ayudar a las personas con Parkinson de Perú. Puso el vídeo a nombre de Ray, para que si por casualidad ganaba, el premio ayudara a Ray a ir a la conferencia. Christine ya estaba inscrita para asistir y hablar, pero Ray recibió una beca de viaje y apoyo del WPC para ayudarles a llegar hasta allí. Están muy agradecidos.

El vídeo tiene visitas y votos de Perú, Australia, Irlanda, de América Latina y de todo el mundo. Christine y los protagonistas quieren dar las gracias a todos los que han votado y les han ayudado a ganar el premio del público.

Christine dice: “Ray estaba encantado con la victoria. Viajó a España para recibir el premio y su hermano vino desde Irlanda para verle allí”.

Aunque el video de Christine no ganó en 2019, se sintió tan inspirada por el Congreso que creó un grupo de apoyo en su comunidad del sur de Perú, donde vivía en ese momento, y cofundó la Alianza de habla hispana que abogan por una mejor atención e investigación, y fue elegida embajadora del WPC. Ella ve que el congreso ha entusiasmado a Ana María y a Ray.

Ray: ¡Conté mi historia porque quería liberarme! Me sentía oprimido por el Parkinson. Al abrirme al mundo y compartir mi historia creo que me ayudé a mí mismo y a otros a ver la esperanza más allá de la enfermedad.

Christine: “Los comentarios y las reacciones han sido alentadores y esperamos que Ray of Hope desafíe el estigma asociado al Parkinson. Algunos dicen que en el Oeste no existe el estigma, pero ¿por qué tanta gente oculta su diagnóstico? 

Por favor, comparta este vídeo para ayudar a la gente a entender el Parkinson, pero también tenga en cuenta que cada persona experimenta el Parkinson de manera diferente.

https://youtu.be/moq1JRD4qPs

 

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 Hopewon 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 (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 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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:

Featured in Spanish Blog – Translation here.

https://pdeparkinson.blogspot.com/2021/01/fuerza-y-determinacion.html

Para leer en espanol was al enlace arriba.

This is a guest blog I made on a Spanish website – I translated it into English here:

I am Christine Jeyachandran and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease seven years ago, when I was 37 years old. People are surprised that I have Parkinson’s because of my age and also because I am open about it. It was difficult at the beginning . In 2018 I wrote: “Sometimes I feel sad. This disease got me too young, I am only 41 years old. I grieve the loss of what I can’t do. I hope I can be there for my children when I am older and be full of energy and strength.”

But in my journey I have shown that I should not wait for the bad things to happen, but to change my destiny with determination. For me, light exercise was not working. My Parkinson’s symptoms were getting worse, my left hand was shaking and my ability to walk and my arms were affected. Light exercise was not helping me prevent my body from deteriorating further. In 2018 I decided to take classes, 3 times a week of artistic gymnastics, starting 1 hour per week of class and going up to 2 hours.

It was very hard because I couldn’t move much, I was sweating and sweating, my muscles hurt and I was afraid to do some exercises…. But I filmed my experience and my story. My video Handstand for Parkinson’s was a finalist in the World Parkinson’s Congress video competition. I regained my range of motion, balance, flexibility, coordination and I was stronger than ever. It is amazing for me to see the change in my Before and After exercise video.

Now I am an ambassador for the World Parkinson Congress 2022 (WPC), I want to encourage you to go (Barcelona). It is for professionals and people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. WPC changed my life, because I was able to learn a lot about Parkinson’s and I came back ready to help my community in Peru. I am Australian but I have lived in Peru with my family for 10 years now. I am now passionately helping to educate people with Parkinson’s and encouraging them to do exercises to treat Parkinson’s. I want to finish with a reflection on the attitude of people with Parkinson’s.

I want to end with a reflection on the Parkinson’s attitude I see around me. People with Parkinson’s usually don’t like to go out in the street because there is prejudice against people with disabilities. People hide their disability. Sometimes others want to blame and say it is a curse from God.

If they go to church, sometimes they are told to pray and to have more faith in God for healing. If there is no healing, they don’t want to go to church anymore. On once or twice it was said to me: “You need to pray and have faith”. I agree I need to pray more and have more faith but I want to say it’s nobody’s fault that I (or you) have Parkinson’s.

There are many people in the Bible like Paul, who had great faith and God did not heal him and there are people who suffered: Daniel, Joseph, Naomi, Hannah and Job. I will be the first to admit that I fail more often than I would like to openly admit, but I believe that God is gracious and loving. He sees our hearts. If Jesus died on the cross for my sin, I don’t believe he would punish me (with a disease) unless it is a direct consequence of bad choices, i.e. smoking can cause lung cancer.

In the Bible there is a story about a blind man (John 9: 1-12) and Jesus’ disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus said, “but this happened so that the works of God might be shown in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.”

Jesus healed the blind man and showed his power. I don’t know why I have Parkinson’s, but I have had the opportunity to meet many with Parkinson’s and connect with them. I can encourage and educate them and that gives me joy and purpose and I can love them in a world where they feel rejected at times. The disease is not good but I know for sure it is not a curse from God because of past actions.

I cannot hide my disability and any question or comment helps educate one more person, one person at a time. I can’t sit at home and hide, I have responsibilities and children, and there are beautiful places to see and mountains to get to the top off. I can’t stop living and enjoying life, even if I am scared sometimes.

I have learned that ‘Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to go on in spite of fear’.

Christine Jeyachandran

Ambassador of the World Parkinson Congress 2022

Blog: English and Spanish https://handstandforparkinsons.com

Spanish website: https://activateparkinson.com

Youtube: Christine Jeya, https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristineJeya

Twitter: handstand for parkinson’s @christinejeya

Tough year for PD Community In Peru

Español Abajo: Año difícil para la comunidad de EP en Perú

It has been a tough year in Peru for people with Parkinson’s, I guess everywhere really. I have been so busy doing things by distance that I haven’t had time to write the really deep blog posts that are mulling around in my head. I’ve even started some but they need more work.

So when Parkinson’s life Magazine asked me to reflect on the year and how the community was doing and our resolutions for the new year I got straight onto Whatapp. I asked my community what it was like for them and some commented, some filled in a mini survey and and some I talk to.

It also gave me a chance to think about the aims I have for next year and re-reading them again today made me think I better do x,y and Z to get these achieved.

So here’s the article with my comments along with those from others around the world.

https://parkinsonslife.eu/new-years-resolutions-parkinsons-community/

They didn’t use the photo I sent in of representatives of my community, Susan (physiotherapist and Ramiro – PWP) so here it is. They’ve been a great encouragement to me this year so thank you Ramiro and Susan.

Happy New Year everyone and what is your new years resolution?


Español
Año difícil para la comunidad de EP en Perú

Ha sido un año difícil en Perú para las personas con Parkinson, supongo que en todas partes. He estado tan ocupado haciendo cosas a distancia que no he tenido tiempo de escribir los blogs realmente profundos que están dando vueltas en mi cabeza, algunos incluso están empezados pero necesitan trabajar.

Entonces, cuando la revista Life de Parkinson me pidió que reflexionara sobre el año y cómo le estaba yendo a la comunidad y nuestras resoluciones para el nuevo año me hice pensar. Fui directamente a whatapp y le pregunté a mi comunidad cómo era para ellos, algunos comentaron, otros completaron una mini encuesta y algunos hablábamos, así que he escuchado cómo les está yendo.

También me dio la oportunidad de pensar en los objetivos que tengo para el próximo año y volver a leerlos hoy me hizo pensar que sería mejor hacer x, y y Z para conseguirlos.

Así que hoy salió la edición en la que aparecen mis comentarios junto con otros de otros lados del mundo.

https://parkinsonslife.eu/new-years-resolutions-parkinsons-community/

Tristemente no usaron la foto que envié con  los representantes de mi comunidad conmigo, Susan, fisioterapeuta y Ramiro - persona con Parkinson), así que aquí está. Hicieron un gran esfuerzo para venir y tomarse una foto y han sido un gran animadores para mí este año, así que gracias Ramiro y Susan.

Feliz año nuevo a todos y ¿cuál es su resolución de año nuevo?

Featured in Podcast: When Life Gives you Parkinson’s

Thanks to Larry Gifford for interviewing me on his popular podcast When Life Gives you Parkinson’s. Follow the link and please share it.

https://omny.fm/shows/when-life-gives-you/even-patients-can-push-things-along?t=0s

“In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, host Larry Gifford introduces you to Parkinson’s advocate Christine Jeyachandran. Christine is an Australian living in Peru with her family. They met in Japan at the World Parkinson Congress where she was a finalist in the video competition. Her video tracked her journey to learn gymnastics with PD and ultimately achieve a handstand. Now Christine brings hope, urgency and education to her Parkinson’s advocacy through her website and videos at www.handstandforparkinsons.com

Please take the time to listen. Several have said they appreciated it.

Apologies the picture isn’t a link

Two events in 1 week: Dos Eventos en Espanol

Esta vez he colocado el español en primer lugar debido a los eventos, pero solo desplácese hacia abajo para ver la versión en inglés de este blog.

This time I have placed Spanish first because the events but just scroll down for the English version of this blog.

Estoy involucrada en dos eventos esta semana. El primero es un iniciativa mía y ayudé a organizarlo. He visto la necesidad, que los fisioterapeutas reciban más formación sobre el Parkinson, así que me puse en contacto con LSVT, una organización de fisioterapia y terapia de la voz con sede en los EE. UU. Mi papel ha sido principalmente la traducción entre los locales y Angela de LSVT. Aprendo mucho sobre la realización de eventos en Perú y el trabajo transcultural.

Estoy emocionada para el evento el viernes. Angela esta planeando mostrar uno de mis videos para brindarles a los asistentes una visión de cómo el ejercicio puede beneficiar a alguien con Parkinson. Incluso en Occidente, los fisioterapeutas les gustan mis videos por las mismas razones. Este evento está más enfocado en profesionales y la esperanza es hacer más formación y acreditación el próximo año.

Inscribirse:

El segundo evento es otro evento en español, para promover el Congreso Mundial de Parkinson, que se celebrará en Barcelona en 2022. El evento está organizado por Claudia Martinez del Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, Barrow Neurological Institute.

En mi rol de Embajadora, se supone que debo ir a conferencias y visitar asociaciones para promover el evento, pero con COVID, nos vemos obligados a realizar eventos en línea. Todavía espero promocionar en persona el próximo año, pero hasta que las cosas se calmen, esto y los mensajes en línea son la mejor opción.

Inscribirse aquí:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PuA4c5BRQS2CGf01hp1b0Q

Si tiene eventos en los que podría hablar, comuníquese con nosotros y ven el lunes a este evento. Es para profesionales y personas con Parkinson.

ENGLISH – TWO EVENTS THIS WEEK

I’m involved in two events this week. The first I initiated and helped organise. I have seen a need here for physiotherapists get more training in Parkinson’s so I made contact with LSVT, a US Based physiotherapy and voice therapy organisation and after months of planning the event is on the 20th of November. My role has mainly been translating between the locals and Angela from LSVT. I learnt much about running events in Peru and working cross culturally.

I can’t wait for the event on Friday. Angela is planning to show one of my videos to give the attendees a vision for how exercise can benefit someone with Parkinson’s. Even in the west, physiotherapists like my videos for the same reasons. This event is more focused on professionals and the hope is to do further training and accreditation next year.

The second event is another Spanish event to promote the World Parkinson’s Congress, which is in Barcelona in 2022. The event is organised by Claudia Martinez of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, Barrow Neurological Institute.

In my role as Ambassador, I’m supposed to go to conferences and visit associations to promote the event but with COVID we are forced to do online events. I still hope to promote in person next year but until things calm down, this and messages online are the best option.

If you have events that I could speak at please get in touch and come along on Monday to this event. It is for professionals and people with Parkinson’s.