Staff & Volunteer Stories

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Staff Stories

Lori

Have you ever called the Calgary office? Lori may have helped ! She is PAA’s trusted Finance and HR Manager, and our PAA team recently celebrated Lori’s FIVE year anniversary! Lori shared that she has “enjoyed the compassionate staff I work with and the wonderful clients we interact with every day”.

We are grateful for all Lori has done for our organization!

Declan

If you haven’t met Declan in-person or online (probably introducing a webinar), you should know he has a big heart, a warm smile, and his demeaner naturally leaves you feeling hopeful. He knows the best way to make someone’s day better is to leave them laughing.

Our team describes him as an easy-going person that leaves you feeling comfortable because he is genuine, warm and throws in some sarcasm to ease any situation.

In his spare time, he likes to try new foods, and when he isn’t restricted by COVID you can find him gathered with friends playing board games. Our team is so grateful for his authenticity and ability to lighten the mood. Thank you, Declan for being you!

Sherry

Being part of a team who has rallied and found ways to support individuals while we navigate the Covid pandemic.

The last adventure I would choose, is the life changing adventure of coming to work with PAA. I wanted to be closer to my family after my husband passed away 5 years ago. I was blessed with finding the posting for the Parkinson Association of Alberta and was hired to come run the home office in Lloydminster.

Volunteer Stories

I guess each person has their own reasons for volunteering, but I would expect the common theme is that it's very rewarding. There's something very satisfying about giving back. Meeting new people, gaining new skills, assisting a non-profit organization in a small way: all extremely rewarding. PAA has given back to me, too, though. In just a short time I have gained in-depth knowledge about Parkinson's and met some lovely people who live with this difficult condition on a daily basis. I have been reminded about the value of good health and have a greater appreciation as a result.

My motivation for volunteering with PAA is for my long-time friend who has PD. I felt it would help in giving some support. I have been volunteering since 2017 at the Calgary Annual Holiday Party

My name is Langston. I have been volunteering in an admin support role since September of 2019. After graduating from the University of Alberta, I really needed some office experience. So, that's what brought me to the Parkinson's association of Alberta. I learned quickly that my need for experience was not just a formality and I have found it quite a comfortable and warm place to get some basic training. I didn't expect the people to have such a big impact on me, there is a sense of community at PAA. Edmonton. So many of our clients are regulars, doing multiple classes a week. And our staff all have a lot of personality. It made me happy with my decision to volunteer, because I felt like I was learning in an environment that agreed with my values of caring and community and that makes everything so much easier.

I initially started volunteering in step and stride fundraising event 2019 and continued as a volunteer in the Young onset support group.

I enjoyed the friendly environment and how welcoming everyone are. It was a fantastic experience to see how we can help each other by only sharing our life experiences and feelings. Unfortunately, YO support group sessions were interrupted by the COVID-19 but I definitely love to continue volunteering in the group the sessions are resumed.

As a PhD student studying Parkinson's Disease and especially behavioural and cognitive aspects of the it, I appreciate the insight I get from YO support group. It is very sad that PD patients are struggling with different psychiatric disorders and this issue has been overlooked clinical and scientific groups till recent years. I appreciate our study participants even more now when I have felt their immense life struggles and still find people who are willing to help us in our research. I am very glad to be part of PAA support group and appreciate PAA's trust in giving me this opportunity.

I volunteer because my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the fall of 2017 and I would like to support him and help advance awareness of Parkinson’s. I have been volunteering since we first attended the Lacombe Parkinson Support Group in mid 2018. I offered to take notes of the meetings for Courtney Ukraintez who was the Area Coordinator so she can concentrate on interacting with those who attend the meetings. I also stepped in to conduct a session when Courtney was away.

Courtney is an excellent ambassador for the Parkinson Association of Alberta and everyone at the support meetings benefits from the information she shares and her dedication to the well being of all those present.

As my husband was on his Parkinson journey, we came in contact with the Dopamine Gym in Red Deer. I was amazed at what Doug Rowe was doing and the positive results I saw in my husband and others taking part in the program. My husband is doing extremely well and it is due mostly to the boxing program at they gym.

I am on the executive of the Alberta Retired Teachers Association (who contribute $25,000 annually to PAA) and I wanted to share the successes of the gym program with ARTA members and draw attention to Parkinson’s.

I have been with PAA since September 2014. I started as a student with client service coordinators. I had the opportunity to set up and organize the equipment/adaptive tool room at the PAA Edmonton office. I then continued to volunteer with needed events such as Step n Stride and Hope Conference.

As a student I noticed the big impact PAA can have.I love all the clients and staff at PAA. They always have a smile on their face and are very welcoming to volunteers, I am always greeted with a big hug and smile.

No one close to me has been diagnosed with PD. However, I work as a Therapy Assistant and have met numerous people and their families impacted by PD. I am continuing to school to become a Physical Therapist so I can further educate myself on PD and continue to work with the PD population.

Telling your story as a volunteer and a part of our Faces of Parkinson’s campaign is relatively easy. As one of our Storytellers, you aim to show the personal side of Parkinson disease by sharing your own unique experience.

Who can be a Storyteller?

A Storyteller can be anyone who has been affected by Parkinson disease or who has been volunteered with Parkinson Association of Alberta.

A person with Parkinson disease
A care partner, family member or friend
A health care or other professional who interacts and/or works with those who have Parkinson disease
A volunteer, donor or sponsor who has been involved with Parkinson Association of Alberta

What kinds of stories are we looking for?

We’re looking for your story, your experiences, your inspiration. Some ideas to help you get started are:

How living with Parkinson’s has inspired you to make a difference
How someone who is affected by PD inspires you
How Parkinson Association of Alberta has made a difference

Storytellers can write or record (audio or video) their stories; and stories will be shared in the Faces of Parkinson’s section of our website; written stories may also appear in our quarterly magazine. Please note that stories don’t have to be “stories” they can be poems, songs, or photo collages. Storytellers are encouraged to submit as many pieces as they choose.

How do I submit a story?

Browse other stories to help get started
If you are writing your story/poem, please type it out in a Word document that can be electronically saved and email it to communications@parkinsonalberta.ca
If you are submitting a recording (audio or video) or photo/photo collage please forward it electronically to communications@parkinsonalberta.ca or mail it in on a memory stick/USB/thumb drive to:

ATTN: Marketing & Communications

Parkinson Association of Alberta Calgary Office
120, 6835 Railway St SE
Calgary, AB T2H 2V6

Call Us Toll Free at 1-800-561-1911