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Former NHler highlights Parkinson's Conference

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Spruce Grove born and former NHL player Nathan Dempsey will be in Edmonton to spread inspiration and motivation at the 2018 Hope Conference for Parkinson’s.

The conference will take place in both Calgary and Edmonton on May 26. Dr. John Ratay, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School will split keynote speaker duties with Dempsey.

Organizers are aiming to provide a wide range of information, for the benefit of patients, caregivers, and the general public. Edmonton’s conference will be held at the Central Lions Recreation Centre.

“The Hope Conference is not only for people with Parkinson’s, their partners, and medical professionals. This year, bringing in Dr. Ratay, the interest in what he presents on will extend far beyond Parkinson’s. He'll be focusing on the science of exercise and the brain,” explained Brandi La Bonte. communications co-ordinator for the Parkinson Association of Alberta.

Ratay will handle the technical side of things, while Dempsey will have attendees feeling inspired with tale of perseverance. After an 850 professional game career, that included 250 appearances in the NHL, Dempsey was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 37.

Despite the presence of the neurodegenerative disease, he continues to lace up the skates, both as a player and a coach. Currently, he is the campus director at Edmonton’s Vimy Ridge Hockey Academy, and a coach for the Spruce Grove Minor Hockey Association.

“We’ll have our research keynote speaker, and Dempsey will be our motivational keynote speaker. Again, you don't have to have Parkinson’s to find value in this experience, Nathan's story can be incredibly inspirational and motivational for anybody,” expressed La Bonte.

In addition to the action on the main stage, attendees will be given the opportunity to tailor the conference to fit the specific information they’re looking for.

Five separate breakout sessions will be available to choose from, spanning from advanced care planning, to managing anxiety and depression, nutrition, and interactive exercise demonstrations.

“This is also a great opportunity to connect with peers. a few of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s are apathy, anxiety, and depression. This leads to isolation. Alberta is a big province, isolation can definitely happen,” explained La Bonte.

That interaction extends to the ‘ask the experts’ panel, where attendees will be able to obtain a range of expert opinions.

“One of the amazing things about the conference is the ask the experts panel. It gives attendees the chance to have their questions answered by experts in a variety of fields. It's not direct medical advice, but they'll get the opportunity to ask questions they wouldn't get during an appointment,” La Bonte Noted.

Registration for the conference is currently open and runs until May 7. With a panel of experts and two keynote speakers leading the way, organizers will attempt to provide in-depth information, and start tough conversations surrounding the disease.

“Dealing with a progressive neurological condition all alone is a scary thing. Attendees will get to come face to face not only with experts, but with others who have shared the path they're travelling. Some of the topics can be hard to talk about individually. Being a part of a group setting like this is sometimes a really good way of getting those conversations started,” explained La Bonte.

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