National World Parkinson’s Day Raises Awareness
Since 1997, today has been recognized as World Parkinson’s Day to raise awareness, break hurtful stereotypes, and encourage those afflicted to speak out.
According to the National Institute of Health, “Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that causes uncontrollable movements, shaking, difficulty with balance and coordination, as well as stiffness.”
Parkinson’s disease is progressive, meaning symptoms become more severe over time. It affects 10 million people worldwide, mostly ages 60 and above. While this condition has no cure, certain medications can relieve symptoms. While these treatment options can help ease symptoms there is still no cure.
This disease is limiting, but it’s not a death sentence. There are many examples of people who continue to lead extraordinary lives, even after their diagnosis, including celebrities Muhammad Ali, Micheal J. Fox, and Ozzy Ozborn.
“You have not seen the end of Ozzy Osbourne,” Osbourne told to The Guardian, also adding that he will soon make his comeback.
“I still am Mr. Optimist,” Fox recently told CBS. “And I knew and in some small way, I knew at that moment, as dark as it was, that I would get back to that at some point.”
Fox inspire others, but he also spearheads a non-profit foundation that raises money for Parkinson’s research, focused on “building improved knowledge about the lived experience of Parkinson’s disease” as well as “supporting the development of new treatments and a cure.”
Different organizations focused on Parkinson’s hold different events today. For its part, World Parkinson’s Day is organizing a walk in New York City to raise awareness.
Celia has been attending Brimmer since her 9th-grade year in 2020. She enjoys reading, watching films, and listening to music when she is not doing schoolwork.
