Nearly four years ago, the Malta Parkinson’s Disease Association came into being. It was registered in 2008, is not government-funded and relies on donations, fundraising and membership subscriptions.
All committee members are volunteers. It is the only association giving support to people with Parkinson’s together with their carers, families and friends in Malta.
We enrol new members annually but, unfortunately, some did not renew their membership. The majority of founder members have remained members.
This year has seen a rapid decline in our ability to fulfil our mission to give support, advice and information in whatever way we can. Three committee members did not seek re-election and we had to suspend monthly meetings and cut back on everything.
In order to keep the association running we desperately need at least six committed and enthusiastic people to form a full committee to take the association forward.
If anyone thinks they could help please contact me on 2146 2196 or e-mail: maltaparkinsons@onvol.net for more information (www.maltaparkinsons.com).
This month we will be distributing the Maltese edition of the booklet Life With Parkinson’s, which is being produced in conjunction with the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (of which we are members).
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition affecting movement, including walking, writing and talking. It occurs when about 80 per cent of the substance called dopamine, contained in cells in the part of the brain which controls movement, is lost, making that part of the brain unable to function normally. The main symptoms are tremor (shaking), slowness of movement and stiffness or rigidity in the muscles.
Medication, mainly drugs are used to help control the symptoms.
At present there is no cure but much progress has been made in treatment and research to find a cure continues in many countries.