To the Editor:
When you think of the color gray do you think Parkinson’s disease Awareness? You should, as that is the color of ribbon worn to show support of those who have had or are currently still battling with this debilitating disease. Parkinson’s disease is a disease that attacks muscles and nerves in a very relentless and progressive manner which means that the symptoms continue and worsen over time.
Today, nearly 1 million people in the US alone are living with Parkinson’s. The cause of this disabling disease is currently unknown to scientists and medical professionals. There is no cure at this time, but there are treatments available to help alleviate some of the symptoms. As this disease progresses, it can leave an otherwise once healthy individual unable to control normal muscle movements and unable to do for themselves anymore. They fear going out in public as they are embarrassed by the inability to control the tremors or other muscle movements. You may be wondering what other symptoms Parkinson’s inflicts on those who suffer with the disease. Individuals with Parkinson’s can exhibit things such as tremors (uncontrollable shaking) of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face or slowness in movement, stiffness of the limbs or trunk and impaired balance and coordination, which sometimes results in very serious falls. Even worse though, individuals with Parkinson’s can be in constant pain, suffer from dementia or confusion, become severely depressed and have very real issues with anxiety. As you can see, this disease not only affects the nerves and muscles but the brain as well.
Many people with Parkinson’s disease find it extremely difficult to function physically, socially and emotionally. Every day is a new challenge for them. The disease makes it hard to perform even the simplest daily functions. It can lower one’s feelings of self-worth, cause them extreme frustration and makes them feel easily defeated or embarrassed to even been seen in public.
Their quality of life relies heavily on a caring group of dedicated health-care professionals such as neurologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, social workers, and Mental Health providers to name a few.
Prior to May 2015, Onslow County had no resources available for individuals who suffered from Parkinson’s but thanks to Bianca Strzalkowski, formerly of The Daily News, and her powerhouse article on me and living with Parkinson’s, Alexandra McLaughlin from Home Health and Hospice jump-started a Parkinson’s Awareness Group that held its first meeting in Onslow County on June 9, 2015. For more information on this group you can call 910-455-2747.
I continue on my path toward remaining free from many of the symptoms that my fellow brothers and a sisters have. I pray for them daily and continue my ongoing prayers that someone, someday will declare they have found the cure for this disease. Whether it is in my lifetime or not, the research continues for a cure. I ask that if you are ever given the opportunity to donate to or help support Parkinson’s disease sufferers, please do so. One sure way you can help support this research is when shopping on Amazon.com instead of typing in Amazon.com type in smile.amazon.com and upon checking out it brings up a prompt asking if you would like to donate to a charity. Scroll through until you see Parkinson’s disease and click on it. A percentage of your purchase will then go toward Parkinson’s research.
http://www.jdnews.com/article/20160329/OPINION/160328870
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