Day for Parkinson's inspires and informs
From how dance is helping people Parkinsons to how those with the disease have managed to literally climb mountains, a Shropshire group found much to inspire them at an awareness raising day.
About 170 people who had been touched by the disease, either personally, as family members or carers, gathered at Shrewsbury Town Football Club for a day to talk and learn about the disease – which was attended by the charity's chief executive Steve Ford.
Those assembled heard about campaigns and support for those with the condition as well as new research and testimony from those living with Parkinson's.
Val McKay, local advisor for Parkinson's UK in Shropshire, said: "We had Dr John Bowen, head of neurology at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, and Steve Ford as the key speakers but there was a full day programme of talks.
"We aimed to reach those who don't have knowledge that Parkinson's UK is there to support them.
"The whole day was amazing, it was a great success, we could see there was an evident buzz in the room.
"I'm sure that, because of the success, we would like to do it again."
She said Dr Bowen opened the day, while Mr Ford spoke at 1pm, covering the We Won't Wait campaign which is pushing for new research and treatments to be made readily available sooner, as the standard drugs to treat the disease have stayed the same for a number of years though there are others in development.
Also speaking was Marie Haywood, a second specialist nurse for Shropshire who took up her role in April thanks to fundraising by Parkinson's UK.
Those at the day heard of the benefits of exercise for the condition and were inspired by a video showing the benefits of dance.
"Music as therapy is a big thing, it's just going forward like a rollercoaster," Val said.
"We then closed with member John Saunders, from Whitchurch, who gave a voice of his experience of being a full time director of a company who was diagnosed with Parkinson's."
She said the "bottom fell out of his world" at first, but he became determined it would not stop him from doing the things he wanted to do.
"He spoke about how he has Parkinson's but Parkinson's doesn't have him – since he has climbed Kilimanjaro, he's been wing walking and bungee jumping. It was very inspiring," she said.
She said the day also tied in with the 200h anniversary of Dr James Parkinson's first paper on the disease.
