MEMBERS of the Newport branch of Parkinson’s UK took part in a special walk yesterday, led by former presiding officer of the assembly, Dame Rosemary Butler.
The former assembly member for Newport West directed around 40 people with Parkinsons, and their carers, on a tour of Newport Wetlands, to mark Parkinson’s Awareness Week.
The former mayor of Newport, councillor Paul Cockeram was among those who attended, with the walkers receiving a talk on the Newport Wetlands ecology from a representative of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Keith Minton, aged 71, of Caerleon, helped organise the event, with colleague John McLaughlin, and has been a member of the Newport branch of Parkinsons UK for a year.
He was diagnosed with the disease three years ago and hopes the event will help contribute to awareness and further research.
“The disease affects your ability to communicate, walk and carry out everyday tasks and deteriorates over time so the sufferer can become severely incapacitated,” he said.
“I think the public are becoming more and more aware of Parkinsons and people are being diagnosed younger and younger, with some in their thirties and forties.”
Speaking about the walk, he said: “The weather was exactly what we had hoped for and the wetlands were able to show off because of how nice it was.”
Alongside campaigning with the Newport Branch of Parkinsons UK, Mr Minton also spoke highly of the GP referral scheme which allows people with mobility or motor problems to access gym facilities.
"The Parkinsons only affects me a bit at the moment and although it has not hit me yet, I’m ready to fight the beast," he added.
For more information on Parkinsons Awareness Week, which ends on Sunday, visit: www.parkinsons.org.uk
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14438001.Dame_Rosemary_Butler_helps_charity_host_wetlands_walk_for_Parkinsons_UK/
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