Living Better with Parkinson's

06/22/2025

What a fantastic day! Over 200 delegates attended the South Georgian Bay Parkinson’s Festival! Thank Dr. Anthony Lang for your insightful presentation; as well as the Spinning Wheels Relay Tour team. 🚴‍♂️🇨🇦❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Community Partners and volunteers! Event photos will soon be posted on the LBWP website. 🙏😊🇨🇦

06/10/2025

Some days, the meds don’t help much. Some days, the body just won’t cooperate. 💜

But every day—thanks to this community—Penny knows she’s not facing Parkinson’s alone.

Penny has lived with Parkinson’s for 15 years. As a retired nurse and former avid skier, losing control over her body has been heartbreaking. But what’s kept her going?

✨ Community.
✨ Education.
✨ Camaraderie.

From weekly support groups to energizing movement classes—and the upcoming South Georgian Bay Parkinson’s Festival—Penny has found strength and connection close to home.

Parkinson’s is now the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world. And the need for local support is growing too.

Your support makes it possible.
Every class, every speaker, every moment of connection is thanks to generous people like you.

💙 Want to help more people like Penny live better with Parkinson’s?
Consider a monthly or one-time gift today.

🎉 And don’t forget—you’re invited to the Parkinson’s Festival on Sunday, June 22nd in Thornbury! Bring your family and friends. Everyone is welcome.

📍 Beaver Valley Community Centre
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Free Event
🌐 Donate & Learn More: livingbetterwithparkinsons.ca

05/27/2025

Join us for an unforgettable day of connection, education, and community support at the South Georgian Bay Parkinson’s Festival — a free event open to all!

🗓️ Sunday, June 22, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Beaver Valley Community Centre, 58 Alfred St. W, Thornbury

🎤 Featured Speakers:

-Dr. Anthony Lang, Director of the Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson’s Disease (University of Toronto) from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:

-Spinning Wheels Tour – After cycling 10,000 km, this inspiring team shares highlights of their ride and reflections from their time in the Yukon and Northwest Territories from 1:00 – 2:00 PM:

Other Festival Highlights:

-Hands-on treatments and movement classes

-Inspiring morning and afternoon speakers

-Local vendors and community booths

-Door prizes, healthy snacks, and refreshments

This festival is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of resilience, education, and hope for those living with Parkinson’s and those who love them.

📧 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]
🌐 Learn more: www.livingbetterwithparkinsons.ca

05/26/2025

Hope you can join us!

On Sunday, June 22 nd , 2025, Living Better with Parkinson's is hosting the annual “South Georgian Bay Parkinson’s Festival” at Beaver Valley Community Centre in Thornbury, Ontario from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. “We are delighted to announce that Dr. Anthony Lang - Professor and previous Director of the Division of Neurology at the University of Toronto – has agreed to deliver a keynote address at this year’s festival”, shares Catherine Smart, Executive Director of Living Better with Parkinson’s. Read on for more information.
https://www.mycollingwood.ca/article/dr-anthony-lang.html

05/20/2025

A new study has revealed a troubling connection between pesticide exposure and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease—the fastest-growing neurological condition worldwide.

Researchers found that people living in areas with high use of pesticides like simazine, atrazine, and lindane faced a 25–36% higher risk of Parkinson’s. These chemicals have been commonly used in farming—but their reach may extend beyond the fields and into our food, water, and homes.

🧺 This raises important questions about what we’re putting into our bodies—and how seemingly everyday exposures might affect long-term health.

🌱 While reducing individual exposure helps (like choosing organic when possible, avoiding chemical w**d killers at home, and washing produce well), the bigger picture lies in advocating for safer practices and better regulations.

At Living Better with Parkinson’s, we believe that education is power. By understanding the risks and raising our voices, we can help create a future where fewer families face a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

💜 Let’s keep asking questions, supporting research, and pushing for change—because everyone deserves a safe, healthy future.

To read the full article: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/research-suggests-pesticides-may-be-linked-to-parkinsons

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.livingbetterwithparkinsons.ca

05/13/2025

Save the Date – South Georgian Bay Parkinson’s Festival is BACK! 🎉

We’re thrilled to announce the return of the South Georgian Bay Parkinson’s Festival—a powerful day of connection, education, and community support for those living with Parkinson’s AND the people who care about them. 💜

🗓 Sunday, June 22
📍 Beaver Valley Community Centre, Thornbury
🕙 10 AM – 2 PM | FREE Event!

What’s in store:
💬 Inspiring speakers, including renowned neurologist Dr. Anthony Lang
🚴‍♂️ .wheels.tour, sharing stories from their incredible 10,000 km ride for Parkinson’s
🧘‍♀️ Interactive sessions with hands-on treatments and movement-based exercises
🛍 Local vendors and community booths to explore
🎁 Door prizes, healthy snacks, and lots more feel-good fun!

This event wouldn’t be possible without our amazing sponsors, presenters, and prize donors—thank you for helping us build a more connected, supported Parkinson’s community.

Thank you, Sponsors!





innerworxstudio

📧 Have questions? Reach out: [email protected]
🌐 Learn more: www.livingbetterwithparkinsons.ca

💙 Bring a friend, spread the word, and let’s come together to celebrate strength, support, and movement.

05/06/2025

JOIN US for the next Guest Speaker Event!

We are honoured to welcome .gt to our May Support Group Meeting for a special presentation on the Palliative Approach to Care. This conversation is all about supporting quality of life, compassion, and dignity—at every stage of the journey. 💙

We will hear from two fantastic women.

🌻 Heather Brown – A Registered Canadian Art Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying), Heather brings 8 years of experience supporting individuals and families facing end-of-life. Now the Lead Therapist at Hospice Georgian Triangle, she offers a compassionate lens on grief and legacy—believing that while death is a part of life, our stories continue through love, memory, and connection.

🌼 Lisa – A Palliative Care Clinical Coach with deep roots in South Georgian Bay, Lisa brings a wealth of experience from her work in community nursing, hospice, and health system navigation. As a co-founder of The Living Wish Foundation, Lisa is passionate about helping people live and die on their own terms—with hope, meaning, and personalized care.

Stop by our May Support Group Meeting Tuesday, May 13th | 1:30 – 3:00 PM
at the Collingwood Library – Free Schools Room.

This session will be an opportunity to learn, reflect, and explore how palliative care can empower and support those living with Parkinson’s and their families.

💬 All are welcome—caregivers, family members, and supporters.
👉 Bring a friend or share this post with your community to help spread the word.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.livingbetterwithparkinsons.ca