Given that the stats for the UK show that one in every 500 people has Parkinson’s, many of us will have family or friends who have been affected by the disease.
Next week is Parkinson’s Awareness Week (16 – 22nd April) and will see a campaign running across the UK to raise awareness of Parkinson’s UK, the support and research charity.
The progressive neurological condition is not a terminal illness, but can have a debilitating effect on the lives of those diagnosed with it.
What is Parkinson’s?
People with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of a chemical called dopamine because some nerve cells in their brain have died. Without it people can find that their movements become slower, so it takes longer to do things.
We don’t know yet exactly why people get Parkinson’s, but researchers suspect that it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors that cause dopamine-producing nerve cells to die. There is no cure for Parkinson’s at the moment, but researchers and scientists are making advances in understanding the condition, it’s causes and how best to treat it.
Services on the Isle of Wight
It’s good to hear that we do have a dedicated Parkinson’s disease Nurse Specialist on the Isle of Wight.
Carolyn McCormack is an experienced Registered Nurse with specialist knowledge about Parkinson’s disease and its treatment. She works closely with Parkinson’s UK providing a range of support and materials for people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers.
In addition, the Island also has an Information Support Worker, Rosemary Smith,who employed by Parkinson’s UK. She can provide:
- a confidential one-to-one information and support service to people with Parkinson’s, their family and carers
- information about and links to local services that can help
- information on benefits and the application process
- emotional support and a supporting voice
Support group
There is also a support group on the Island. The Parkinson’s UK Isle of Wight Branch offers local support and hold regular monthly lunch group meetings at different venues across the Island and monthly coffee mornings at Arreton Community Centre.
The Branch organise lots of other events to. For more information please contact, Mr Ron Tweedie on 01983 884913.
For more about Parkinson’s UK visit their Website.
