Walk in park supports people with Parkinson's
YOUR STORY: The Parkinson's Queensland slogan of 'In this together' particularly suits this group of ladies.
Chris Green was diagnosed with Parkinson's 15 years ago while Jan Barrett and Patricia Stevens have been caring for husbands with Parkinson's for many years.
Parkinson's Disease affects more than 17000 Queenslanders and is the second most common neurological disease to Alzheimer's.
Toowoomba Parkinson's Support Group coordinator Jan explains how having Parkinson's or caring for a loved one with Parkinson's means "you are in for a long haul".
Her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's 28 years ago.
'We couldn't believe it at first - he was so young - only 40 years old."
"It is a relentless disease that is ever advancing - no cure, no remissions.
"We all live in hope of some scientific breakthrough, but for those who already have the disease the best we can hope for is better ways to control the symptoms," she said.
Parkinson's Disease receives a lot more media coverage than it used to with notable personalities having been diagnosed - Michael J Fox, Billy Connolly, Linda Ronstadt, Robin Williams, to name a few.
However, as Patricia points out, just because more people have heard of the disease does not mean more people understand the disease or the toll it takes on the sufferer and family members.
"We are of course always happy to be there for our loved ones, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, but sometimes we all need support and that is where our local support group is so very important because everyone there understands how we are feeling."
Chris added that, as a Parkinson's sufferer, she knows she can always rely on the support group meeting as a social outing as well as a way to meet guest speakers who might be able to assist in some way.
"Just sharing a problem can relieve the burden, especially when others are experiencing similar problems."
All three ladies are presently busy preparing prizes for their multi-draw raffle.
Both Patricia and Chris have used their handicrafts of quilting and knitting to provide wonderful prizes while local businesses have donated great items including a 4 burner hooded barbecue.
The raffle will be drawn on the morning of Sunday August 30, at the Walk in the Park.
'We hope that lots of walkers will come down to Queens Park, Hume Street side, and join with us on either a two or four kilometre walk," Jan said.
The walk starts at 10am with a sausage sizzle to follow.
For more information, contact Jan on 4635 4884.
