By Maureen Gartner, NP-C
The 18th annual Sunflower Rev It Up Symposium is happening on August 27th at The Oasis Golf and Conference Center in Loveland. This is an annual symposium sponsored by the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute. The team is excited to be back in person this year. Contents of the symposium include up to date and useful information about Parkinson’s disease, the benefits of intense exercise, practical suggestions for living well with Parkinson’s disease. There will be a patient with PD to tell us their story that inspires all to live our best lives with or without Parkinson’s disease. The symposium also offers updates in Parkinson’s clinical research and basic science research which offers hope for the future. It is a free event and you can register online here.
The sunflower theme came from a fundraising gala 20 years ago. Davis Phinney, an Olympic bronze medalist and Tour de France stage winner was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000. Through connections with the bicycling community, he was an inspiration for our annual bike/ride/walk to raise money and fund research in Parkinson’s disease. Whether you follow the Tour de France or not, most people know of the beautiful fields of sunflowers and mountainous scenery of the Tour. Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty, and longevity. In China they are symbolic of a long life, vitality and good luck. And to Native Americans, they are symbols of harvest and provision. I think all of these qualities support health and wellness in living well with Parkinson’s disease.
