This week we marked World Parkinson’s Day. More than 120,000 people in the U.K. currently live with Parkinson’s disease and many die with it, including my father. While those with Parkinson’s often deal with a core set of symptoms such as shaking, slow movement and inflexible muscles, the experience is not universal, and Parkinson’s can manifest itself in wide range of other ways. Furthermore, Parkinson’s does not just target the elderly, with some experiencing the first symptoms before they turn 40.
A Parkinson’s diagnosis can be scary for both the individual and their loved ones. A fear of a loss of control, independence and ultimately the self. The wide-ranging symptoms and rates of progression can also cause anxiety and uncertainty when looking to the future. As with my father, a diagnosis can also come late and as a consequence of a fall or other hospital admission. With no cure currently available, it is imperative we work together to raise awareness and ensure the correct level of funding into further research. Therefore, I applaud the work of Parkinson’s UK in investing over £100 million in research and development. This money will be crucial in the search for a way to defeat this disease and I hope they are able to continue their great work. While the charitable and private sectors of course have a role to play in the fight against Parkinson’s, the Government must also act, not least by delivering more medical professionals to care for those with the disease. That is why increased numbers of doctors and nurses in the NHS and more medical training places are positive developments.
For more information about living with Parkinson’s and help with caring for those with the disease, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/ and https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/.
