Parkinson's Disease awareness week launched
The Malta Parkinson's Disease Association has launched a Parkinson's Awareness Week and announced Kate Gonzi as one of its patrons.
Activities started today with information stands having been set up in various localities. Information events will continue throughout the week, and activities close with a fund raising concert by Marie Therese Vassallo voice studio and members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. It will be held next Monday at St Andrew's Scots Church in Valletta. (Lynda Cuthberth 21462880)
Association president Anne Downing said some 800 people suffered Parkinson's in Malta. Many, she said, hoped it would go away and they hid it. However this was a condition which could not be cured, and the purpose of the campaign was therefore to ensure that patients found the care they needed.
Parkinson's in a progressive neurological disorder caused by the destruction of nerve cells in the brain that produce the neuro transmitter Dopamine. Patients with Parkinson's lose certain specific nerve cells leading to symptoms like tremors, stiffness of muscles and slowness of movement.
Ms Downing said Malta needed at least one nurse specialised in Parkinson's Disease, but even little things meant a lot to patients, such as helping them do up their shirt buttons.
Mrs Gonzi underlined the need for solidarity with patients and said that even talking to them could be a lifeline.
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N.Grima
Apr 20th 2009, 22:18
Indeed, Obama's allowing embryonic stem cell research is an extremely important step towards treating a number of serious diseases. I remember when Bush vetoed the stem cell research enhancement act, it was such a blow. Parkinson's is particularly dreadful as it's just continuous torture, with the medication's side effects (dyskinesia) being rather strong - even psychologists are important as appearing in public like that takes a lot of courage... take Pope John Paul II and Michael J. Fox for example. Wish them best of luck!
Alfred Farrugia
Apr 20th 2009, 19:53
Ms. Anne Downing and the families concerned may wish to take a look at the following link, concerning T’ai Chi and Parkinson’s disease. I do not know if this works, but it is not likely to do any harm, if it is tried. http://www.worldtaichiday.org/LIBRARYArticles/LIBRARYTaiChiPARKINSONS.html http://www.gaiam.com/category/fitness-center/eastern-practices/tai-chi.do If there are not enough T’ai Chi teachers in Malta, the Association might wish to consider the possibility of purchasing a few DVDs and promote classes in different centers. The Local Councils might give a helping hand, particularly if they procure some of these DVDs for their libraries.
Rebecca Sultana (ME Sufferers Malta)
Apr 20th 2009, 16:36
Well done to The Malta Parkinson's Disease Association. I know setting up the group and creating a formal organisation to raise and create awareness is very demanding and draining. Keep up the good work. We hope to follow in your footsteps one day!
Thomas Borg
Apr 20th 2009, 16:10
Let's all wish luck to the scientists now working ( thanks also to Obama ) on STEM CELL RESEARCH for a cure.