Hope for Hypermobility 2026
The annual Hope for Hypermobility Education Day will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Register below to attend in-person or online!
In-person deadline: April 15
Online deadline: April 24
What is it?
This patient-centred event aims to:
- Build a collaborative community amongst people living with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), their allies, clinicians, and researchers.
- Share the latest information from leading clinicians, patient advocates, and researchers.
- Engage patients and caregivers in establishing an interdisciplinary clinic in Calgary for people living with HSD/hEDS.
- Further facilitate community-engaged research priorities related to HSD/hEDS in Southern Alberta.
The theme for this year's event is: "Advocating for care"
Event Information
How much does it cost?
This event is free to attendees thanks to a generous donation from the Canerector Foundation. However, in order to continue sustainably supporting patient outreach events we would request that attendees consider making a donation to the Better Mobility Lab.
A $5 donation per person is suggested. Donations can be made by clicking here: https://engage.ucalgary.ca/BetterMobility
Keynote Speakers
This year, we are pleased to welcome three fantastic guest speakers:
Dr. Sarah Cohen Solomon (Pediatrician and Pediatric Specialist in hEDS from Baltimore, Maryland), Maggie Buckley (Board-Certified Patient/Health Advocate from San Francisco, California), and Dr. Gabriela Gilmour (Neurologist, University of Calgary).
Check out their bios below!
Dr. Sarah Cohen Solomon
Bio and talk information TBA.
Maggie Buckley
Bio and talk information TBA.
Dr. Gabriela Gilmour
Bio and talk information TBA.
Our Other Speakers
Donald Golden, MD/PhD Candidate
Bio and talk information TBA.
Dr. Ranita Manocha, MD, MSc
Dr. Ranita Manocha is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (RCPSC) and an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. She has completed specialty training in the Clinician Investigator Program (RCPSC) and has an MSc in Medical Biophysics and a BA in Cross-Disciplinary Studies. Dr. Manocha’s areas of clinical expertise including connective tissue disorders, bracing, wheelchair seating, and peripheral nerve injuries (CSCN(EMG)). Dr. Manocha also runs the Better Mobility Lab, where she researchers connective tissue disorders and walking aids.
Gabriela Noguez Noguez, BSc
Research Assistant.
Special Thanks
A very special thank you to our generous event sponsor, The Canerector Foundation. The event is supported by the Connective Tissue Disorders Rehabilitation Clinic (Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta), the Better Mobility Lab (University of Calgary), and the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health (University of Calgary). If you would be willing to support future patient-focused events, please make a donation here and email us to let us know where you would like your donation directed.