Reflecting on November

In the world of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, the language we use matters. The shift from “caregiver” to “care partner” reflects more than a title — it’s a change in mindset. It’s about collaboration over assistance, dignity over dependence, and partnership over passivity. Because care is not something we do for someone — it’s something we do with them.

- Larry Gifford

November Highlights

November was a meaningful month, filled with engaging workshops, webinars, and lively events in celebration of National Caregivers and Care Partners Month. Special recognition goes to Barbara Salsberg Mathews, whose stunning illustrations from The Full Picture of Care highlighted the wide-ranging experiences of caregiving—from dedicated care partners to individuals navigating Parkinson’s on their own.

A few sessions of Improv for Parkinson’s and Care Partners hosted by Improv for Work and Wellness, continued into the final week of November and will extend into December and January. Registration for upcoming sessions is open and the next Improv for Parkinson's Level 1 course starts next Monday, DECEMBER 1st at 10:30 am PST | 1:30pm EST - No experience neccessary

Lastly, a heartfelt thank-you to AbbVie and Abbott for their generous support of sponsoring our workshops and webinars. Stay tuned for December—we have plenty of exciting announcements coming your way.

Parkinson’s Events & Celebrations

Parkinson Voice Project celebrated its 20th anniversary with a live-streamed look at its history and future.
Scott Newman Impact Award nominations open December 1st to February 1st.
Parkinson’s Africa marked its 5th anniversary after hosting a successful football tournament.
LSVT Global led a centennial session at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference, highlighting global equity and cultural adaptation.

She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 27. These were her warning signs.

Our co-founder, Dr. Soania Mathur, was recently featured in The Washington Post, where she opened up about the early warning signs she experienced, the difficulties of managing a medical career while raising a young family, and her decision to shift from clinical practice to dedicating herself fully to Parkinson’s education and advocacy.

Click Here to Read Article

On April 11, 2026, buildings, bridges, and landmarks will light up blue across the globe. Each one becomes a beacon for the more than 12 million people living with Parkinson’s, and for the families and care partners who show up for them every day.

For many people, seeing a familiar landmark lit blue is the first moment they realize how big the Parkinson’s community is—and that they’re not alone. For others, it’s a conversation starter that leads to better understanding, earlier diagnosis, and more urgency for prevention and research.

From all of us at PD Avengers (Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease), and from people with Parkinson’s and their care partners around the world:

We need your support to help illuminate more than 1,000 sites.

Volunteer for Spark the Night!

The Full Picture of Care

Recognizing the full spectrum of caregiving during International Caregiver and Care Partner Month. True care comes in many forms—from dedicated partners to resilient individuals navigating Parkinson’s disease alone.

Barbara Salsberg Mathews — an artist, educator, and person living with Parkinson’s has hand-drawn powerful representations of Parkinson’s care partners, as well as those navigating the journey without a caregiver.

Let’s elevate support for both, because no one should face this journey unsupported and no caregiver should go without recognition.

Read More About It!

Five Stages of Parkinson's

Barbara Salsberg Mathews, has created a series of illustrations depicting the five stages of Parkinson’s disease—but with a vital twist: she portrays individuals from different ethnicities and genders to reflect the true diversity of the Parkinson’s community.

Historically, visual representations of Parkinson’s have featured an older white male—reinforcing stereotypes and leaving many people feeling unseen. Barbara’s work challenges that: by using one consistent body shape and clothing color while varying only ethnicity and gender, she draws attention to the progression of the disease rather than any single identity.

The new illustrations are free to download (with artist credit) for healthcare professionals, advocates, patients, and anyone seeking better representation. Barbara hopes this work will improve awareness and help people feel seen.

Learn More

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