Free of charge | Open to everyone
In this first webinar of Free Your Mind, Jeanne Gravfort will talk about the approach and how you can use it as a way to better understand yourself and those around you. Later on, you will have the opportunity to register for a course to learn more about the approach (more information below).
WHEN?
Wednesday, 3rd of February
19:00 Central European Time
18:00 in Portugal, England
20:00 in Finland, Greece
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What is Free Your Mind?
Free your mind is an approach where you share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with people who live with the same life conditions as you. By talking and listening to others you get the possibility of being free – being able to understand your life story in a new and different way. It is an opportunity to join a community by telling your own story. A place where you can be a complete person in spite of your difference from others.
Having a Rare Disease
As a person affected by a rare disease you may experience life giving you many challenges that can seem overwhelming. You may live your life feeling sad that you are not able to do the things you want to do. You might be frustrated about the fact that you cannot live out your expectations for yourself and your life. You might feel lonely and everyday life might seem hopeless.
What is it about?
In Free your mind you will share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with people who live with the same life conditions as you. By talking and listening to others you will get the possibility of being free – being able to understand your life story in a new and different way.
Our starting point is an existential theme that every participant talks about taking turns. You will talk from your own life experiences without interruptions or questions from the other participants. Free your mind offers a safe space of confidentiality. A space where there are no taboo topics, no requirements or expectations.
Who’s Jeanne?
Jeanne Gravfort is a pastor with a lot of experience in the rare disease field. Through her studies and work, Jeanne has worked with theories of identity and memory in times of mourning and crisis and through trauma research. Furthermore, she has a specified education in mourning of the soul. Finally, Jeanne has counseled parents of handicapped children and she is a theological consultant at the Rare Disease Helpline in Denmark.
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COURSE:
The European Huntington Association offers a course in the spring of 2021 – maybe it’s something for you? It is free of charge, but you have to be a member of a local Huntington’s disease association. If you are interested in joining the course after the first webinar – here are some practical information:
- One group consists of 4-5 participants
- We will meet a total of six times every other week
- The aim of the course is that you will be able to run your own support groups using the Free your mind method.
Free of charge | Open to everyone
In this webinar, we will be discussing care of rare disease patients in Europe, focusing on rare neurological diseases, and providing different perspectives: from the clinician to the patient’s perspective and from a European level to a more local one with examples from France, Germany and Hungary.
The webinar will start with short presentations by the speakers followed by a discussion.
SPEAKERS:
- Holm Graessner, coordinator of the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND)
- Donna Walsh, executive director of the European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA)
- Sophie Bernichtein, project manager of BRAIN-TEAM in France
- Tobias Mentzel, patient advocate at ELA Germany
- Maria Judit Molnar, Professor of Neurology and director of Semmelweis University’s Institute of Genomic Medicine and Rare Disorders, Hungary
WHEN?
Tuesday, 23 of February
15:00 Central European Time
14:00 in Portugal, England
16:00 in Finland, Greece
WHAT?
Rare Disease Day takes place on the last day of February each year. The main objective of Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.
WHY?
Building awareness of rare diseases is so important because 1 in 20 people will live with a rare disease at some point in their life. Despite this, there is no cure for the majority of rare diseases and many go undiagnosed. Rare Disease Day improves knowledge amongst the general public of rare diseases while encouraging researchers and decision makers to address the needs of those living with rare diseases.
WHO?
Since Rare Disease Day was first launched by EURORDIS and its Council of National Alliances in 2008, thousands of events have taken place throughout the world reaching hundreds of thousands of people and resulting in a great deal of media coverage. 2021 is no exception.
Find information about the thousands of events happening around the world on the last day of February here.
Free of charge | Primarily for 18-35 years-old
Join HDYO’s Virtual Congress for young adults aged 18-35 impacted by Huntington’s Disease!
For two days, insightful talks, sharing, research updates, peer support and fun will take place online! This event is aimed primarily at young adults aged 18-35 impacted by Huntington’s Disease from families around the world. However as the event is now virtual, HDYO are welcoming family members of all ages. It’s also for professionals and pharmaceutical industry partners who work with the Huntington community.
For more information, visit: www.hdyocongress2021.com
Free of charge | Open to everyone | Online
Together with Annette Carlsson, we’re running a webinar on how to maintain a healthy mouth and strong teeth in people with Huntington’s disease.
During the webinar Annette will talk more about how to manage oral health and demonstrate several tools that will make oral care easier in daily life. It is free of charge and open to everyone (both professionals and family members/carers).
Background:
One of the corner stones for Quality of Life is good oral health. For people with Huntington’s there are many problems that affects the oral health. Dry mouth as well as blisters and sores can cause pain and difficulties in eating, speaking and to perform oral care. Toothache and lack of teeth affects even the mental status. Swallowing difficulties increase the risk of aspiration. It is of extra importance to maintain a good oral health and thereby minimize the risk of injurious bacteria reaching the lungs.
Speaker: Annette Carlsson
Annette is a Dental hygienist at the Mun-H-Center and Hospital dentistry in Göteborg, Sweden. She’s also the chairperson of the Swedish Huntington Association.
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WHEN: 5. May, 19:00-20:30 Central European Time
PLATFORM: Zoom
Registration will follow soon
The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) is hosting their 7th Congress in June 2021. This years theme: Towards Precision Neurology.
From Claudio L. Bassetti, EAN President:
“As the number of lives affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has now reached the millions, the health and safety of our congress attendees, our patients and our families, remains our primary concern.
While we may come from different nations, we are all experiencing difficult and trying times, and we must continue to work together to slow the spread of the disease.
With this situation in mind, the European Academy of Neurology has decided to go virtual again for the 7th EAN Congress on June 19-22, 2021, originally to be held in Vienna.
Once again, we look forward to offering you the opportunity to learn from experts in your field, grow your professional network, and discover the latest best practices in neurology, all in the comfort of your home. Building on our experience from the EAN Virtual Congress 2020, we will utilise the very best technical solutions to provide you with a virtual experience as comfortable and rewarding as the real thing.
In order to make participation affordable for colleagues all over the world, EAN is offering reduced fees for the virtual congress.
Please find detailed information on the EAN Congress Website.”
Registration is now open!
Cost per ticket depends on whether you are a EAN member or not and your membership (student, researcher, etc.).
Every second year European Huntington’s Disease Network (EHDN) hosts one of the world’s largest conferences dedicated solely to Huntington’s disease (HD). In 2021, the EHDN Plenary Meeting will take place in Bologna, Italy September 10-12.
The Plenary Meeting is open to clinicians, scientists, EHA delegates and members of families affected by Huntington’s disease (HD). You can learn more about recent advances in research and attendees have the opportunity to meet people in the field of HD studies in more informal settings.
Usually, EHDN members are entitled to have their travel and accommodation costs reimbursed up to a maximum of 400 EUR for travels within Europe and 600 EUR for travels from non-European countries. Costs above these amounts cannot be covered by the EHDN. Reimbursement forms need to be submitted after the Plenary Meeting.
Timelines
Abstract submission: May – June 2021
Registration: May – July 2021
More details will follow.