The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) is hosting a free public talk in Toronto March 24 that will see three people living with neurological conditions share their inspirational stories of the challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve overcome obstacles.
One of the speakers is epilepsy awareness advocate Whitney Goulstone, a Toronto woman living with epilepsy who received a new type of deep-brain surgery that has stopped her seizures.
The other guests are Andy Barrie, the former host of CBC Radio’s Metro Morning, who will be speaking about living with Parkinson’s disease, and Rick Green, an advocate for people with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder awareness.
The OBI hosts several of these talks every year, with most consisting of researchers discussing their work or entrepreneurs showcasing new products.
This event will be the first one focused purely on the perspectives of people living with neurological conditions, says Michelle Wilson, the OBI’s communications lead.
“We’re very patient focused at the OBI, so we really want to hear from people themselves who are living with different types of brain disorders,” she tells Voices of Epilepsy. “This is the first time for a truly patient perspective, so we’re pretty excited.”
The event, which will be emceed by Globe and Mail health columnist André Picard, is a forum for people to learn about how the speakers have lived with their disorders and, in some cases, how their condition has helped them learn more about themselves, Wilson says.
“We’re promoting the idea that you can live a full life with a brain disorder, and that there are a lot of new treatments and a lot of new things that people can do to be a very successful person who lives a full life,” she says.
Asked who the event is aimed at reaching, Wilson says people interested in brain health and health care in general will find the speaking engagement enriching.
“Most of all, anyone who wants to hear great, inspiring stories will want to attend,” she adds.
The event is being held March 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto. Click here for more information or to register.
Writer: Deron Hamel
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