Community News From Around Our Area

Parkinson’s Has Not Gone Away

The Hinckley Support Group of Parkinson’s UK has not been able to meet for any activities during the lockdown period but readers in the area served by this magazine should be reminded that the group is still available for information, advice, support and donations - “Parkinson’s has not gone away – and neither have we!”

In September, group supporter, Rachel Yorke, despite a fear of heights, climbed the summit of the O2 Arena in London. She faced her fears and challenges head on to raise funds for people who have no choice but to face fears and challenges on a daily basis because of Parkinson’s.

She raised over £700 for the work of the Hinckley Group, walking along a fabric walkway suspended 2m above the surface of the dome. The 380m long walkway climbs to reach 52m above ground level. Rachel described her experience, “Behind the smiles, it was scary and frightening, I was pale with worry and fear but I had a powerful tool that helped me to achieve my goal and that was the power of friendship! My friends and I supported one another and stood side by side, checking in and making sure we were all ok.”

Many congratulations to Rachel on this achievement and for the donations she received for the Hinckley Group which will provide much needed funds for social events, exercise classes, choir and other activities when it is possible to resume them safely. In the meantime, members are being kept in touch with one another through Whatsapp on their phones, exercises and choir on Zoom, a Facebook page, plus telephone and postal contacts.

To contact the Hinckley & District Parkinson’s Group give Janet Kavanagh a call on 07932 615233, or Tina Connor on 01455 699937. They can put you in touch with the right people so that as a patient, carer or member of the family, helpful advice or a listening ear can be provided.

With one person every hour in the UK being told that they have Parkinson’s, public awareness and knowledge of this brain disease is surprisingly low. Often it is only the tremors that people associate with the disease but there are so many more conditions that impact on lives, with almost every patient experiencing different symptoms.

So, don’t let Parkinson’s dictate how you live your life, make contact with your local group and see the benefit of support for yourself.