Today is World Parkinson's Disease Day

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by bernjb56, Apr 11, 2021.

  1. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    World Parkinson’s Disease Day marks the birthday of Dr. J Parkinson. On this day there are efforts made to increase the public awareness of this terrible disease, as well as all the good works put forth by the worlds organisations dedicated to eradicating this disease. There are activities to promote this the entire world over, and the opportunity to participate is open to any and all who want to help in this effort.

    Dr. Parkinson first described the disease in “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy”, he described a pattern of lessened muscular power, involuntary tremulous motion, even if these are supported. There is at tendency to bend the body forwards, and to involuntarily switch from a walking to a running pace, while the sense and intellect deteriorate.

    One of the prominent symbols of Parkinson’s disease is the red tulip, and this was established at the 9th World Parkinson’s disease Day at the Luxembourg Conference. The story of the Red Tulip can be tied back to J.W.S. Van der Wereld, a Dutch Horticulturalist who was suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He had successfully generated a Red and White Tulip, and named it in honour of the man who named his medical condition. On the tail of this, the Tulip received the Award of Merit, granted by the Royal Horticultural Society in London, and then was granted the Royal General Bulb Growers, Trial Garden Award.

    My Father-in-law was a sufferer - a really nasty condition which was horrible to watch.

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    Louey, Jack Tatty, paulcalf and 3 others like this.
  2. My Next door neighbour A strong stocky ex miner was reduced to a shell of himself, unable to feed himself, toilet himself or communicate with friends and family such an awful thing to happen to anyone.
     
    bernjb56 likes this.
  3. Worked with a decorator once who had it, only a young fellow.He was all over the place and it crossed my mind if this would go well. As soon as his brush made contact his Parkinsons stopped, probably some of the best cutting in I've seen.Scary ride home in his souped up van though.Horrid disease.
     
    bernjb56, Merlin Cat and Zed like this.
  4. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    A friend of mine has it, in his late 50’s. I think the drugs you can get now are helping. My friends decline has definitely slowed.
     
    bernjb56 likes this.
  5. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    My mother's symptoms started in her late 30's. Back then in the 70's treatments were not good, they worked for a while and there weren't many so she put off any help for a decade or more and carried on teaching for another 25 years. She was top dog in the local Parkinson's Society for 20-30 years and never gave up hill walking until she literally couldn't walk. She would do everything the hard way shunning offers of help.

    Treatments have become better but nothing works in the long term, however there are far more possibilities to go through and that in itself prolongs their effectiveness.

    As soon as Parkinsons sufferers fall asleep, their symptoms vanish and part of living with it was to concentrate on something else - what Nick says makes perfect sense IME.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2021

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