Parkinson’s Booklet Launch, Anybody, Any Age

Media Release
19 October 2006

Parkinson’s Booklet Launch, Anybody, Any Age

Anybody, Any Age is the theme for this year’s Awareness Week ( 1 – 7 November) and as part of this Parkinsons New Zealand has produced a new booklet for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

Associate Minister of Arts and Culture, the Hon Judith Tizard will launch the booklet at a parliamentary reception in Wellington on 25 October in the Grand Hall, Parliament Buildings, Molesworth Street, Wellington. Starting at 6.00pm.

The event will be attended by Government Ministers, people with Parkinson’s, medical professionals and supporters of Parkinsons New Zealand.

Olympic Champion John Walker who has provided a foreword for the book believes that “While we wait impatiently for a cure this booklet Anybody, Any Age can be an invaluable resource not only for those of us with Parkinson’s but also for our families”

Anybody, Any Age aims to address many of the issues faced by people living with young onset Parkinson’s and includes chapters on feelings at diagnosis, intimacy, working, finances and family.

John Walker explains that he was 44 when he was told that he had Parkinson’s and that like others in the booklet he has experienced disbelief and anger

Parkinsons New Zealand National Director Deirdre O’Sullivan, said “While Parkinson’s is often considered an older person’s condition and the average age of diagnosis is 60, many people younger than this are living with Parkinson’s. The booklet launch is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn more about Parkinson’s and the services the Society offers nationwide.”

Parkinson’s Awareness week, from 1 to 7 November, aims to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition affecting over 8,000 people nationwide.

Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive condition which occurs when insufficient quantities of the chemical dopamine are produced by the brain. This causes many changes in the body’s ability to initiate movement and can affect balance and coordination. Symptoms vary in individuals but can include tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity, fatigue and depression.

The booklet launch also aims to raise awareness and funds to enable the organisation to continue developing its support and care people of all ages living with Parkinson’s in New Zealand.

ENDS

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