Join A Walk in the Park to lift the lid off Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease is the world’s fastest neurological condition yet remains misunderstood by many who think of it as a shaking disease prominently diagnosed in older people.
Fight Parkinson’s is determined to change this misconception and help lift the lid off the disease which can affect people from their mid-30s and has more than 40 symptoms that will be experienced differently by every individual diagnosed.
It’s estimated that 219,00 Australians (57,000 Victorians) live with Parkinson’s disease today. Globally, more than 12 million people are expected to be diagnosed by 2040.
This year Fight Parkinson’s wants as many people as possible to come together on Sunday 26 March to lift the lid off Parkinson’s at A Walk in the Park.
“Our community wants to lift their voices and the profile of Parkinson’s. That’s why we are coming together to lift the lid off Parkinson’s,” said Fight Parkinson’s CEO Emma Collin.
“Together we can make sure Parkinson’s is better understood and resourced to ensure everyone gets the support they deserve.
“When the community is united, they can empower each other to make a difference. A Walk in the Park provides the perfect opportunity to stand together to be seen, heard and understood.”
Fight Parkinson’s is asking people to ‘tag’ family and friends to have a conversation about Parkinson’s to build understanding of the condition and invite participation in the walk.
“Together, we want to ensure the wider community understands the deep impact of Parkinson’s that goes beyond shaking so the disease is taken more seriously by decision makers and also to reduce the stigma associated with some of the symptoms,” Ms Collin said.
A Walk in the Park will be held on Sunday 26 March, setting off from Fed Square at 10.30am. Entertainment starts at 9.30am. Community walks will be held on the same day in Horsham, Swan Hill, Bairnsdale and Eltham.
The community fundraiser also supports people affected by the Atypical Parkinson’s conditions, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)
These are rare conditions that resemble and are often initially diagnosed as Parkinson’s but which have some variations in symptoms, response to medications and prognosis.
A Walk in the Park is an inclusive and accessible walk that will bring together people living with Parkinson’s and Atypical Parkinson’s, families, friends, carers and healthcare professionals working in the field, creating a sense of belonging and community.
It’s also an important fundraiser for Fight Parkinson’s to continue to deliver the most comprehensive and advanced information, education, and support programs that empower people with Parkinson’s and Atypical Parkinson’s to get the most out of their lives after diagnosis.
A Walk in the Park details
The flagship A Walk in the Park event will be held at Fed Square on Sunday 26 March 2023.
The walk has 4km and 2km routes and sets off at 10.30am, with entertainment at Fed Square from 9.30am.
Register at www.awalkinthpark.org.au or call Fight Parkinson’s on 03 8809 0400.
Everyone who registers for A Walk in the Park and raises $25 will receive a free event t-shirt.
What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is a chronic neurological condition of unknown cause, with a range of complex symptoms unique to the individual. Neurological disorders are now the leading cause of disabilities in the world and Parkinson’s is the fastest growing of them.
The most common symptoms include stiffened muscles, slowing movement and changing posture. Many people also experience a resting tremor. Other symptoms can include pain, depression, anxiety, speech changes and loss of facial expression.
Medication and support from healthcare professionals can help manage these symptoms, however there is no way to slow progression or cure Parkinson’s.
