Rebecca Gifford believes everyone is inherently creative, everyone’s story is important, and everyone has a voice worthy of being heard. She’s been testing this theory for 30 years as a writer, communications and public relations executive, writing coach, workshop facilitator, mother, meditator, bird watcher, searcher and human being.
She first began to believe in her own story and voice when she wrote a personal experience column for oncology.com, founded by researcher and best-selling author David Agus. The column’s success led to the publication of her memoir, Cancer Happens: Coming of Age with Cancer (Capital Books) and an award-winning short film script (Omaha Film Festival).
Much of her work has appeared on websites, in magazines and in marketing documents across the US and beyond. An Ohio native, she graduated with honors from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in 1993. Over the years she has lived and worked in Ohio, New York City, Philadelphia, Hartford, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver, BC, where she now calls home. She has contributed her writing and communications consulting to dozens of organizations and publications, including West Coast Families, the World Parkinson Congress, Michael Smith Health Research BC, Omegasonics, Nationwide Financial, Ketchum, the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, FedEx, Chase Bank, The Lefko Group, Time Warner Cable and Medtronic.
How’d we get here?
When some of Rebecca’s fellow writers began asking for feedback and advice a few years ago, she found that she also loves helping others discover their voice and access their creative talents. She began writing coaching and over time found these tools easily translated into writing workshops. Writers and professionals of all confidence and experience levels take her classes seeking to explore or rediscover their creativity. She has facilitated her online programs in various communities in Canada, the US and beyond, including as an instructor at the BC Brain Wellness Program and in partnership with Improv for Work & Wellness. She’s led international writing workshops as part of the Parkinson’s Pride Initiative through Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, the Brian Grant Foundation and the Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania. She has contributed to and hosted webinars, podcasts and workshops for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance and the Parkinson Society British Columbia.
Connecting to the Parkinson’s community
She was a contributor and member of the planning committee for the World Parkinson Coalition’s Care Partner Virtual Talk series, and a committee member and facilitator for the World Parkinson Congress’ Care Partner Lounge in Barcelona in 2023. She also enthusiastically participated in several panels as part of both the main congress and YOPD-focused pre-congress.
For six years Rebecca contributed, co-hosted and produced the podcast When Life Gives You Parkinson’s with her husband Larry Gifford. Together they chronicled her family’s journey with the disease, informed, raised awareness, and gave voice to many in the PD community.
She is a proud PD Avenger. Her superpower is truth telling. You can be a PD Avenger too by clicking here. She lives in East Vancouver with her husband Larry and their son.
