Call to support parkinsons week in tipp
This week is national Parkinson's Awareness Week.
The national highlight is the third annual 'Unity Walk', to be held in Dublin on World Parkinson's Day on Saturday April 11th.
The Tipperary branch will be represented at this walk and is encouraging members, carers and family to participate in the walk around Merrion Square, Dublin, commencing at 12pm from the Davenport Hotel. If Tipperary members have family or relations in Dublin, please invite them to participate in this fun day activity.
On return to the hotel for lunch, a new booklet called 'Parkinson's: Planning your Journey' will be launched by actor Tom Hickey, who played 'Benjy' in the TV series 'The Riordan's', and who was diagnosed with Parkinson's a few years ago.
A major initiative by the Tipperary branch is the launch of its new poster titled 'Do not feel Alone', which gives information on support groups, contacts, etc. This poster will be distributed throughout the country in clinics, waiting rooms, pharmacies, etc.
While we meet many newly diagnosed members at our support group meetings, we are aware that there are many more people with Parkinson's who are not yet ready to participate and receive support from our groups. Please do not feel alone, as our members have experienced all these emotions, sleepless nights, depression, and concern for the future.
It is essential that GPs refer people diagnosed with Parkinson's to a neurologist and the HSE Parkinson's Nurse Specialist in Limerick or Waterford. Many of our members are available to share their experiences of Parkinson's with newly diagnosed patients. We can only relate to our own fights with the disease, as every diagnosis is different. Information packs available from all our branch support contacts.
We recently held a very successful and well attended support group meeting in Roscrea and Nenagh. Mary Finnegan, South Tipperary Support Group, is organising a bus to travel to Dublin for the Unity Walk this Saturday.
Our 2015 annual general meeting will be held in the Anner Hotel, Thurles on Wednesday April 22nd at 2pm.
Our thought for the month of April is: Be positive, be active and take medication on time. You are not alone.