Parkinson's Seminar - Waikato
For people living with Parkinson's and their carers

The seminar will feature a range of informative speakers and presenters covering a programme covering important topics to assist people living with Parkinson's and their family members, carers or supporters.

Doors will open at 9.30am.We anticipate completion by 3.00pm. Refreshments will be served on arrival, along with a light lunch. Please bring your own water bottle.

9.30 - Arrival & refreshments
10.00 - Welcome
10.10 - Dr. Chris Lynch - Neurologist
11.15 - Short break
11.30 - Mike Lloyd - the blind runner with Parkinson's
12.30 - Light lunch served
13.15 - Belinda Goodwin - Freedom Dance or Erica Weerekoon - Carer /Supporter Session 1
14.00 - Panel Group Discussion with Heather, Bepven and David or Erica Weerekoon - Carer /Supporter Session 2
14.45 - Close

SPEAKERS AND PRESENTERS

Chris Lynch
Chris is the Clinical Director of Neurology at Waikato Hospital. His clinical interests include Neuromuscular Disease and Botox Therapy. Dr Lynch will address many aspects of day to day Parkinson's, offering clear explanations and strategies to assist.

Mike Llloyd
In November 2018, Mike lined up alongside his guide, Three News anchor Mike McRoberts to complete his 10th successive marathon in the Big Apple. Mike was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that slowly deteriorates sight. Mike had struggled with excessive fatigue, prolonged stiffness and a tremor down his right side. He sought medical advice,  to discover he was suffering from Parkinson's. Mike joins us to provide an inspirational and humorous look at how he chooses to live life positively and how his attitude has helped him live his best life and achieve some outstanding goals.

Belinda Goodwin
Freedom Dance for Parkinson's is a fun dynamic way to move your body. Simple katas or Movement sequences are choreographed to beautiful worldly music, the seventies pop music The class begins seated and then move to standing dance. Freedom Dance is specifically designed for Parkinson's people and led by Belinda who is Nia dance Bluebelt and certified Parkinson's Dance Teacher.

Erica Weerekoon
Erica has a Master of Counselling (M. Couns) RNRM; BA(Nursing/Anthropology). Her sessions for carers will focus on loss and grief in chronic illness as well as the importance of care for the carer. "Our experiences of loss and grief are unique and varied and it can be easy to ignore the impact of these losses and just carry on. I will highlight the importance of revitalising our mind, body and spirit in order to maintain our sense of wellbeing and our caring roles."

Heather Brand
Raised in Pirongia, Heather and her husband retired to Cambridge in 2015. Heather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 18 years ago. Her mother had Parkinson’s Disease and her twin brother has also more recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Heather will talk about her personal experience with Apomorphine infusion.

Bepven Aparente
Bepven (or Ven to her clients) is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Parkinsons's at the Waikato District Health Board. She journey's with PWP and can offer insights into the steps taken from referal to diagnosis and follow up care offered by the DHB for people living with Parkinson's.

David Chang
David is a Speech Language Therapist for the Waikato District Health Board.

Car parking at the venue can be reserved when you purchase your ticket for just $5 per vehicle or use the Sonning public car park at 201 River Road.

Bring your own water bottle and a packed lunch if you have special dietary requirements, are GF, vegan or vegetarian.