Parkinson’s Support Group organizing SuperWalk

Aug. 28, 2016

Shown from left are Margaret Milne, Dennis McGee and Josephine Jollymore of the Pictou County Parkinson Support Group, who are organizing this year’s Superwalk.

STELLARTON - Dennis McGee’s life changed when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s several years ago.

Since then, he has played a key role in bringing Parkinson’s disease greater awareness as part of the Pictou County Parkinson Support Group and would like to see more people get involved, especially with the upcoming SuperWalk.

 “This is a big undertaking, organizing the SuperWalk, and the people of Pictou County have always been great to donate their support to it, as well as all the other disease and disability fundraisers in the county,” says the 64-year-old Stellarton resident.

“We have a good mixture of volunteers running, but we need more help within the group.”

Organized by the support group, the walk will take place Sept. 10 at Northumberland Regional High School in Alma at 2 p.m., with registration slated to start at 1 p.m.

Group member Josephine Jollymore said the organization would like to see more people living with Parkinson’s to show up at their regular meetings.

“The door is always open to new members coming in and learning more about the disease,” she said.

Often people who are afflicted with Parkinson’s will bring a caregiver to accompany them to the meetings, Jollymore went on to say.

“Usually, it’s the husband or wife of the person.”

The organization is reaching a milestone with this year’s walk, as it will be the 10th edition.

Jollymore said that around 90 people took part last year, some of them students who wanted to support the cause.

“We’re thinking there will be more than a hundred this year.”

QUICK FACTS

• Parkinson’s is a chronic degenerative neurological disease caused by a reduction of dopamine in the brain.

• Most common symptoms are: tremor (shaking); slowness in movements, muscle stiffness and problems with balance.

• Other symptoms can includes fatigue, difficulties with speech and writing, sleep disorders, loss of sense of smell, depression and cognitive changes.

• Parkinson’s will worsen over time; each person with Parkinson’s is unique and may experience different symptoms.

• Currently, there is no cure, although most people manage their symptoms through medication.

• Other interventions such as exercise programs and speech therapy can also help.

• A single cause for Parkinson’s has not been identified. Researchers are studying many theories such as the role of genetics and environmental exposure.

• In 2012, more than 100,000 Canadians were estimated to have Parkinson’s disease.

• Due to the aging baby boomer population, this number is expected to rise dramatically. 

• The average age of diagnosis is 60 years.

Source: Parkinson Society Canada

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