Biography
Biography: Nancy Brassard
Abstract
At the beginning of Nancy Brassard mother’s disease, felt that I have to do something to help or to stop that! I began at this time to work intensively on what I am calling: The Quest! I asked my family members to participate with my mother and me at the study. I collected a lot of datas, made interviews and I built the whole family symptoms and history. This “Quest” led me to the Aging and memory center in May 2016, as a visiting scholar and to contribute slightly in the laboratory activities of Dr. Rankin. In last August, I had the honor of being invited by Dr. Bruce Miller to speak at the opening conference of Tau consortium in Denver. The title for my presentation was: Patient advocacy: A family story. At that time, I perceived the urgent need to help and support people dealing with a familial reality of FTD. This is unique!
I have initiated the past two years, studying in medicine and neuroscience, to better understand degenerative brain diseases especially, the stages, the onset of symptoms and the link with other variables such as, personality traits or lifestyle. I know that I can contribute to your event in many ways. First, I am teaching at the University since 12 years. I can contribute by my undeniable teaching skills, my openness and my strong ability to work in team. I have a strong research expertise and my scientific research skills are recognized by the scientific community. Second, being myself at risk of a brain disease, and as the President-founder of a non-profit Society, I am a great “Ambassador” to contribute with the researchers in the field in participating to their projects or to answer their questions, and share with them the importance of finding a cure for the families. I am hopeful, in a positive mind and I feel like if I have a mission. As a researcher, and especially as a daughter, and most of all, as a mother, I am in a Quest! Willing to participate or collaborate to find a cure or treatments and help people to deal with the disease and conciliate, understand and live with those realities. I want to be an example to show them that it is possible. I did it, I am doing it and I will continue to pursuit this Quest with passion, dedication and compassion.