PARKINSON’S disease affects more than 30,000 people in Victoria and 100,000 in Australia.
Up to 19 people are being diagnosed with the debilitating illness each week in Victoria alone.
Twenty per cent of those are under the age of 45.
Parkinson’s Awareness Week, which finishes on Saturday, is an opportunity to highlight these alarming figures and encourage people to provide assistance for muchneeded research and support.
Sufferers of Parkinson’s can be ostracised and mistaken for being drunk or intellectually disabled because of the range of symptoms they exhibit.
However, there is nothing wrong with their intelligence. It is simply that their bodies may not be functioning normally.
Parkinson’s is a common, debilitating and complex chronic, progressive disease that can strike people of all ages. There is no cure.
People with Parkinson’s can and do live active and productive lives, supported by family, friends and carers and support groups.
Parkinson’s Victoria is calling for funds to improve awareness and provide information, education and support to sufferers, their families and health professionals.
Suitable accommodation is one emerging problem for young Parkinson’s sufferers.
Living in nursing homes alongside elderly people or those suffering from Alzheimer’s is not suitable for people who are still young and need stimulating surroundings.
There is now an urgent need for a range of accommodation facilities designed and purpose built for younger people who need the right kind of care and an environment appropriate for their age.
Cranbourne Parkinson’s Support Group coordinator Robyn Searle said the group had recently purchased a badge making machine to raise funds and promote social interaction.
“By selling name badges, message and novelty badges we believe we may be able to raise the funds to run our group activities.
“We also hope to have a stand at the Cranbourne MRA GP Run for children to design their own badges and for taking badge orders,” she said.
For further information about badges or the activities run at Cranbourne Parkinson’s Support Group, contact Robyn on 5996 2655.
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