Monday, November 16, 2020
Dear Friends,
Greetings
from the team at Parkinson Association of Alberta (PAA). I am reaching out to
thank you sincerely for your ongoing support and your relationship with PAA as
a member, donor, partner or volunteer. Because of people like you, we were both prepared for and have been
successful staying connected with our Parkinson community. We are pleased to report that our Client
Services Team has personally made phone contact with over 2,000 clients, run
160 support groups and delivered nearly 470 hours of unique online supportive, educational,
motivational and physical programming since March 16th, when Alberta
followed the world example of isolating.
The COVID-19
pandemic restrictions have hit people in a variety of ways with unique and
sometimes devastating outcomes. We are
committed to remaining a source of comfort and support as we continue to
navigate confusing and stressful waters.
Prior to our
change in circumstances, PAA was working with partners at Brain Canada and Parkinson Canada to bring you an educational event (Hope Conference) this
fall. We can announce that we are still
able to do that virtually and we invite you to save the date. Saturday, November 28th, you will
be able to participate in this opportunity to learn and connect with leaders from
across the country. All free of charge,
thanks to our friends at Brain Canada. The details of the agenda available here.
This letter
is also a reminder to renew your membership (or purchase one). Your commitment to just $25 a year through
memberships ensures your voice is heard for the future of our
organization. You join a community of
support and understanding where common experiences create lasting bonds and
connections. You add to our ability to
demonstrate value in the work we are so honoured to do.
December is
also a time of year where we are thinking about our annual donations and the
upcoming tax season. Canada has a
generous tax credit system for donors to charities and the benefits can be
significant. Our members make up the
number one single source of operational revenue and we couldn’t do what we do
without your generosity.
A note from
Keith and Carol Williams (PAA Members)
Nearly a year ago we got the
diagnosis that my wife Carol has Parkinson’s disease.
This was really
disheartening as we had lost my older brother Don just two years earlier after
a long stretch of years fighting this dreaded disease. He, along with a friend
of ours for more than 50 years, were both showing the signs of a losing battle,
and it left us with a sense of dread. During Don’s years of illness, he was a
regular at the support group in our area. Not easily suppressed, he was very supportive of the others in the
group, and the experience was regarded as a lifeline for both Don and his
wife.
We are finding the support
group, including many of the same members who knew Don, to be very welcoming
and open about their experiences, fears, hopes, tricks tried, and how they try
to cope. After the first meeting, Carol
was with the “Parkies” and I went with the caregivers. Both of us thought that the experience was a
little scary, but really helpful. The personal stories, questions, and advice
shared at the meetings has made the meetings something we look forward to.
The follow-up emails and phone calls from Emma, our coordinator, really
make the contact seem personal. We will
survive this process and our hope is that those we share our story with will
also benefit now and in the future.
Your membership and donations to ensure we continue to offer help today and hope for tomorrow for people like
Keith and Carol. We will embrace 2021 much the same way we did 2020. We are
hoping for a COVID-free environment but will adapt as need be to ensure we
continue in our quest to be available and an important resource to all people
living with Parkinson’s in Alberta. Our team is here for you. Please contact me
directly with any questions or comments.
Thank you for your membership
and for continuing to be part of our PAA family.
Sincerely,
Lana Tordoff,
Chief Executive Officer
