On Saturday, April 4, the Orlando community came together to show their support through the 12th Annual Walk for Parkinson’s Disease, where funds were raised to find a cure for this devastating disease. The goal of this event was to spread awareness about Parkinson’s and what it truly is.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the depletion of movement throughout the body. Symptoms usually start gradually, including tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and balance issues. With the right medications, symptoms can slow down, but as of this year, there is no cure.
The walk for Parkinson’s was more than just a walk, but a symbol of strength, hope, and progress through difficult times and challenges.
Donations through this event will fund vital resources, education, and support programs for individuals living with Parkinson’s and their families across Central Florida. With the support of the community, making a change for those living with Parkinson’s disease is a big step towards a cure.
Walking Towards a Cure for Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s has nearly diagnosed 90,000 people with this disease in the United States each year and is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030. Without proper care and treatment, the cost of living with Parkinson’s will diminish, and the death rate will increase significantly.
“Parkinson’s affects everybody differently, and for some people, it goes beyond the actual patient and who is diagnosed and has a whole series of challenges,” said Sara Brady, President of the Parkinson’s Association of Central Florida. “Then there’s the whole ripple effect of loved ones, friends, and care partners who have to take on the role of assisting with a person with Parkinson’s and just navigating everyday because not every day will be easy.”
Even though there hasn’t been a cure found yet for Parkinson’s, fighting the fight as a community shows those who are diagnosed that they aren’t alone and have a family to support them.
“One thing we want everyone to know is that Parkinson’s Association of Central Florida, all the money that we raise stays local, and that’s what makes us different from other organizations,” said Brady. “We’re providing support in a variety of ways through services, resources, education, support groups, and kind of medical guidance on how to find a doctor that will fit a person’s individual needs, as everyone is different.”
When someone is diagnosed with an incurable condition, individuals may feel detached from the world as their whole life changes after receiving these results. This disease usually affects people over 60 years old, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch it sooner. Being aware of the symptoms and working with a group of doctors can make this disease seem less permanent.
“Parkinson’s can be very isolating because of the way it proceeds in somebody’s life, and we want others to know and see from this day how big and supportive the Parkinson’s community is,” said Brady. “It is the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the world, and at some point, it is predicted to surpass Alzheimer’s diagnoses, so if you don’t know someone with Parkinson’s right now, you are likely going to meet somebody with Parkinson’s.”
Barbara Williams, on the advisory board of PACF, said that having Parkinson’s teaches individuals more about understanding their needs to successfully beat this cognitive disease.
“Parkinson’s disease affects families in a profound way because having an incurable disease teaches people to live life to the fullest,” said Williams. “It’s quite a journey for the patient as their disease changes, and so it’s not only about helping the patients, but also showing support for the families, knowing how they can help their loved ones.”
Parkinson’s affects everyone differently, as it teaches people to learn how to deal with hard situations since life is meant to be unpredictable. No one has the right answer on the way life is supposed to go, so preparing and setting yourself apart from others is the best thing to do.
“There are lots of resources out there, such as the vendors and tents at this event, and it’s a whole family of support for the patients who are suffering,” said Williams. “The most important thing is to get a qualified professional if you’re suffering from Parkinson’s.” There are neurologists that we call movement disorder specialists, and they have gone through additional training to specialize in Parkinson’s, and we have an amazing group of them now in Orlando.”
Staying in touch with the community and going out to events that support the cure for Parkinson’s is the best thing families and friends can do. Any incurable disease changes the way someone views themselves, so having a strong support system to remind others who are suffering who they are is just as important.
“Leaning on your family and support system through a Parkinson’s diagnosis is the most important thing someone could do,” said Williams. “The research and looking at can we identify where Parkinson’s comes from and how we can cure that is the answer we all want to know.”
For more information on Parkinson’s Disease, visit HERE.