MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JANUARY 2026

Last January, I announced my intention to completely transform into a perfectly punctual, perfectly productive, perfectly patient, perfectly healthy, perfectly perfect version of myself.

That…did not happen. 

To be fair, I also cautioned you to be gentle on the imperfect real you that you carry through the year. I almost lived up to that promise myself. 

But here we are again, with that mythical blank slate – another twelve months of promise yawning ahead. Once again, I have goals for myself. This year, they’re a little more humble – I hope to spend less time on my phone. I hope to spend more time with my family, and more time reminding my dog how perfect she is. I hope I remember to stretch my body more days than I forget. I do still hope to improve my pesky punctuality. 

Hope…and courage. This has been a personal mantra over the last few months, and I’ll be honest — I borrowed it from our very own Glendon Geikie, who runs PRO’s grief group. It’s a worthy endeavor for anyone, but especially for people living with Parkinson’s. HOPE for a cure, a solution, a fix for the discomforts and agonies of a neurodegenerative condition. And COURAGE to face what comes, regardless. 

Parkinson’s Resource Organization is committed to cultivating that hope and that courage with you. Join our in-person or virtual support groups for a healthy dose of both. Tune in to our podcast for practical tips to improve your nutrition, speech, and more (courage), or for frank conversations about living with Young Parkinson’s, supporting caregivers, and government policy (hope). Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events and educational seminars. 

You’ll read about a few such events in this very newsletter – like our Second Annual Parkinson’s Today Symposium in collaboration with The Michael J. Fox Foundation on February 7, 2026. Panelists will discuss the latest Parkinson’s research, tips for building a care team, and much, much more.

Our goal with this event is to address a serious shortage in Parkinson’s specialty care – in the Coachella Valley and beyond. We don’t have enough movement disorder specialists anywhere. We don’t have enough nutritionists anywhere. We certainly don’t have enough counselors or therapists. The symposium aims to bridge that gap by bringing together those exact specialists for a focused and open conversation – in a room that fits 300, on cameras that will capture the event for tens of thousands.  We’ll ask the questions we’ve heard from you...and we’ll make sure you get the answers.

This is a free event, but RSVP soon – last year’s event ‘sold out’ weeks in advance. RSVP at parkinsonsresource.org/symposium. 

I want to return to that theme of hope – that’s the word we heard most in a post-symposium survey last year. “Lots of hope,” said one attendee, while another said “very positive – hope for the future and ideas and encouragement for day-to-day living.” Said another, “feeling connected to a larger group of people, learning new information about Parkinson’s, research, support groups…all this was very encouraging to me.” 

So…hope and courage. Let’s hold it close and let’s get started. The New Year is here, whether we’re ready for it or not. With you by my side, I have hope, and I have courage. 

Now read on for PRO OUT AND ABOUT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PARKINSON’S TODAY SYMPOSIUM, CHOCOLATE & CHAMPAGNE, MEET THE PRO TEAM, ROOMMATES 31 YEARS APART IN AGE FREE ONE ANOTHER FROM HIDING PARKINSON'S, and WARNING SIGNS: HOW CAREGIVERS CAN SPOT ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT. 

With gratitude,

Eileen Lynch

Executive Director