The Arizona sun has set on the 2026 World Parkinson Congress in Phoenix, but another intense and persistent light continues to shine in the hearts of all members of the FuerteVida Parkinson No Limits Association. Upon returning to Fuerteventura, our hearts are full of emotions, our minds crowded with new faces, and our bodies invigorated by an indescribable energy.
This was not just a trip, but a fundamental milestone for our small but bold association. Founded in 2019 by the passion of a group of Italians who chose Fuerteventura as their home, our mission has been from the very beginning to demonstrate that living with Parkinson’s can mean a life lived “without limits,” harnessing the therapeutic power of nature. Phoenix was the global platform to share this dream.
A One-of-a-Kind Congress: Beyond Science
The WPC 2026 was not your usual medical congress. As highlighted by the World Parkinson Coalition and key organizations like Parkinson’s Europe, the Phoenix event confirmed its unique nature: it is the only international congress on the topic that unites the entire global community in the same room, with an equal voice.
Alongside world-renowned neurologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals, a huge percentage of the audience was made up of the real protagonists: people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. The numbers speak for themselves: over 3,800 delegates from 63 countries. The city of Phoenix prepared with the “Parkinson Ready™ Phoenix” program, training hundreds of hospitality workers to welcome the community with inclusivity and patience.
The Key Themes of Phoenix
Debates focused not only on basic scientific discoveries, but above all on multidisciplinary care, quality of life, and the less visible daily challenges. Topics such as the “hidden burden” of non-motor symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, memory issues) and the impact of ‘OFF’ episodes were central, highlighting the need for personalized and on-demand solutions. The wellness track, with a strong focus on physical exercise, music, dance, and creativity as integral parts of well-being, also had unprecedented space.
Our Contribution to WPC2026: When Care Becomes a Lifestyle
Our booth, Booth 424, was a small oasis of Fuerteventura in the heart of Arizona. Among thousands of global attendees, we brought the embrace of the ocean and the resilience of volcanic nature.
The No Limits Research: Our 6 Official Posters
The hard work of recent years and our dedication to scientific and social research were rewarded with the selection of six abstracts, which we exhibited as posters. Seeing our studies shared on such a prestigious global stage fills us with immense pride.
To recount our 360-degree transdisciplinary method, we presented:
Social and Informative Area:
- The Parkinson No Limits Method: The illustration of our holistic outdoor approach, combining sports, art, psychoeducation, and the therapeutic power of nature.
- Therapeutic Holidays: How immersion in a pristine environment like Fuerteventura acts as true physical and psychological rehabilitation, improving the quality of life for patients and families.
- The “Be Woman” Project: Female empowerment through a tailor-made therapeutic program addressing psychological and social challenges specific to women.
Scientific Research Area:
- Clothing and Fashion Challenges: An innovative international survey that revealed the invisible daily barriers related to dressing, highlighting body misperceptions and gender disparities.
- Outdoor Therapeutic Programs (Sail4Parkinson & Fuerte4Parkinson): The analysis of clinical data demonstrating the effectiveness of outdoor rehabilitation, showing an important correlation between high levels of physical activity and a reduced need for medication.
- Clinical Efficacy of the “Be Woman” Project: Tangible results measured through standardized tests on the improvement of quality of life (QoL) and the reduction of anxiety for the participants in our all-female program.
For those who couldn’t visit our booth, all the details and data of these researches are available on our website:
👉 https://parkinsonnolimits.com/en/research/
Beyond Posters: A Daily Commitment to the Local Community
The success of Phoenix is the reflection of the work we do every single day. FuerteVida Parkinson No Limits does not only organize therapeutic holidays: we are a non-profit organization deeply rooted in the local area. We offer residents of the Canary Islands 5 free weekly therapeutic activities (totaling 245 free sessions per year per person). And to ensure our method continues to grow and evolve, we recently inaugurated our internal training school, dedicated to preparing future volunteers and students to support the community with competence and empathy.
Luca Berti and the Voice of Experience
A moment of profound emotion at the congress was the book launch of a special member of our family, Luca Berti. At the BOOK NOOK area, Luca presented his works “I am the Cure” and “P-Factor”, available in several languages. Luca perfectly embodies the No Limits spirit: with his direct and powerful testimony, he has transformed his vulnerability into an inspiring force for the entire community, proving that even with Parkinson’s, one can still write extraordinary new chapters.
A Red Thread That Unites Us
The WPC 2026 concluded by celebrating the connections and relationships within the community, a theme symbolized by the “Red Thread Project”. This project reminds us that, although the world is big, the Parkinson’s community is small, united, and unbreakable.
Our closing message from Phoenix was clear, and it is also our association’s creed: “Even though the WPC ends here, it does not end here: a red thread unites us, wherever we live in the world, and we will continue to write a page of our lives every day, step by step.” ❤️
Together, We Are Unstoppable: Towards Quebec City 2029
We sincerely thank everyone who stopped by Booth 424, those who read our posters, those who shared a smile with us, and those who support our projects from afar. A huge thank you also goes to the local institutions of Fuerteventura for their precious and constant support, which allowed us to proudly bring the colors of our island to a global stage.
Now we head back to Fuerteventura to get back to work, strengthened by the new alliances and projects born in Arizona. But the countdown has already begun… See you in three years at the next World Congress.
Destination: Québec City, Canada!
