International Parkinson Congress – C H A N G E –
The first congress on Parkinson’s disease held in Fuerteventura and organized by our Association, in collaboration with Alex Kerten and Elisabeth Ildal, has just ended.
An intense experience, in presence, which brought together people with Parkinson’s disease from Israel, Florida, Puerto Rico, Georgia, Denmark, Italy and Spain.
The theme of the conference was CHANGE.
What happens in our brains and bodies when Parkinson’s occurs?
What happens physiologically and psychologically if we begin to take charge of our health and our health potential?
What changes do we make in our daily lives to maintain and restore mental and physical well-being and to counteract the progression of Parkinson’s?
Participants were able to experience two approaches, the GyroKinetic one conceived by Alex Kerten and our method (Parkinson No Limits method), conceived by Francesca De Bartolomeis. Two approaches that move in synergy with each other.
The experience was made even more valuable by the presence of neurologist Nicola Modugno, consultant of the association, and with many years of work with people with Parkinson’s and their families. Neurologist who, in addition to the classical approach to the treatment of Parkinson’s, shares the holistic approach of our method that integrates the classical activities (physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychomotricity, art therapy …) with complementary activities (Dance, Theater, Qi Gong, Shiatsu, Homeopathy, Surfing, Boxing, …).
Theoretical and practical lessons, never frontal and always dynamic, were held during the mornings.
During these sessions was brought the fundamental support of some of the participants who decided to put their experience lived in first person with Parkinson’s at the disposal of other people with Parkinson’s who participated in the meetings. The dialogue established between people with Parkinson’s, even with many years spent with Mr P., so in a sense “veterans”, and people who have received the diagnosis for less time, between therapists and neurologist, was undoubtedly an added value to this initiative.
The afternoons were always held outdoors, experiencing complementary activities and therapies together with some of the association’s consultants.
In particular, Psychomotricity, Qi Gong, and Ocean’s Emotion Experience (navigation with cetacean sighting with psychomotricity and art therapy on board).
Listening to oneself, willpower, self-determination, self-affirmation, being one’s own priority, health potential, and change are some of the notes that created the soundtrack for these afternoons. Soundtrack that came to life thanks to the beating of the hearts of the participants, moved by their emotions. All together we rhythmically played these notes with our hearts and danced a dance full of life and colors, in synergy with the wonderful nature of Fuerteventura.
The ocean waves also helped us in this process of change. Each of the participants could feel the power of change within themselves, comparable to a wave to be respected, observed, evaluated, felt it flowing within themselves and decided to ride it, making a real change in their lives.
