2024 Within Our Reach Symposium Recap

Keynote Speaker:  Pamela G. QuinnPamela G. Quinn

Pamela G. Quinn is a professional dancer and PD coach who has lived and worked with Parkinson's disease for over 25 years. Her personal experience of living with Parkinson's combined with her knowledge of the body from dance training gives Pam a unique position to analyze physical functioning and to imagine creative solutions to problems posed by PD. She shares this information during her class called PD Movement Lab, which she teaches regularly online and in person in New York City. She has achieved widespread recognition as a sought-after teacher, coach and speaker in the PD community, nationally and internationally, presenting at events such as the World Parkinson Congress (WPC), American Academy of Rehabilitative Medicine (ACRM) and Rutgers University.

Her most recent project is an online course called Gait-keeping, produced by herself and partner, Colin O'Connor, and supported in part by Rutgers University. Gait-keeping is a new walking therapy that helps people living with PD regain control of their walk.

Learn more about her and Gait-keeping on her website: PD Movement Lab

View presentations from the event:


2023 Within Our Reach Symposium Recap

Robert Cochrane

Keynote Speaker: Robert Cochrane, PhD

The 2023 symposium, held at the BWI Hilton on October 6th, explored the benefits of using technology to navigate the health of people living with Parkinson's disease (PD). During the event, guests were offered the opportunity to participate in movement activities, engage in interactive improvisation games and learn about new PD therapies.

Dr. Cochrane has developed a novel approach to handling challenges related to PD...improvisation. For the 2023 symposium, Robert spoke about his program, Day One: the Parkinson's Prison and the Hero's Journey to Escape.

This is a dynamic writing program to help people with and affiliated with PD.

He has founded the nonprofit Yes, And...eXercise to proliferate two programs he created for the PD community:

  • Jam for Joy, an improvisation-based support group
  • Day One: the Parkinson's Prison and the Hero's Journey to Escape

View Dr. Cochrane's presentation

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2021 Within Our Reach Symposium Recap

Keynote Speaker: Diane Schuirman-Hagedorn

Diane is a person living with Parkinson's who serves on the board of a non-profit organization called Pass to Pass.

The organization provides opportunities for people with Parkinson's Disease to participate in outdoor activities.

For more on Diane's story, watch the 2021 Recap.


2020 Within Our Reach Symposium Recap

Keynote Speaker: Susan Scarlett

Susan is a person living with Parkinson's and the inspiration for the Guinness Book of World Records 65 mile swim, resulting in the film documentary "Victory Swim." For more on Susan's story, watch the 2020 Recap.