One of my favorite things at the WPC in Barcelona was the Buddies Program. At our request, we can be matched, “buddied up,” with other people from around the world. The idea is to create space for global dialogue, discussion and companionship across all borders.

I applied to the program and after I was notified of my match, we started exchanging emails and photos. My new amiga, Paqui Ruiz, is from Tenerife in the Canary Islands. She is a dynamic woman! She is the president, co-founder and co-facilitator of a collaboration of young women with Parkinson’s disease across the globe who speak Spanish. Her work has expanded to include radio shows, personal testimonies, advocacy, and more.

Although I speak only a little Spanish, it didn’t matter. We occasionally asked our mutual friend, Claudia, and also my husband, to help us by translating for the two of us. Despite not having a common language, Paqui and I easily communicated with smiles and warm hugs. No matter how serious or complex the topics we were exploring in the conference sessions, my day automatically brightened whenever I saw my buddy.

Paqui is involved in research projects for young women with Parkinson’s, and her work stands to positively contribute to the advancement of treatment. After the conference was over, we bid goodbye, but I’m confident that we will keep in touch. We have a special bond created by the Buddies Program, and I hope we will meet again.