PHOTOS – Parkinsons Mid-West coffee morning 2018 raises funds for Parkinsons Awareness Week

Parkinsons Mid-West coffee morning 2018: (L-R) Una Anderson Ryan, Parkinsons Mid-West, Eddie Butler, Olympic swimmer Fiona Ryan and Richard Lynch. Picture: Sophie Goodwin/ilovelimerick

Parkinsons Mid-West coffee morning 2018 raises funds for Parkinsons Awareness Week

Parkinsons Mid-West held a fundraising coffee morning in Bobby Byrne’s Wolfe Tone Bar on Thursday, April 12. The Parkinsons Mid-West coffee morning 2018 was a part of Parkinsons Awareness Week, which takes place this week from April 9 to April 15.

Speaking about the success of the Parkinsons Mid-West coffee morning 2018, Una Anderson Ryan of Parkinsons Mid-West said, “Coffee mornings like this raise such positive awareness and today there are so many people here, who know a little bit about Parkinsons but are learning more. Another great thing about these coffee mornings is that the patients can talk to each other and that in itself is very positive so we are delighted with today”.

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Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurological disorder and is classified as a Movement Disorder. It is variable in its progression, with some people progressing more slowly than others. Parkinson’s disease is caused when loses the chemical called dopamine faster usual rate, occurring when the person has lost 80% of the chemical.

The purpose of the Parkinsons Awareness Week is to highlight the condition and enhance the efforts to support people with Parkinson’s’ through fundraising and advocacy with the HSE and politicians.

Una Anderson Ryan and Kathleen Conran at the Parkinsons Midwest Coffee Morning 2018 at Bobby Byrnes. Picture: Sophie Goodwin/ilovelimerick

Kathleen Conran, Chairperson of Parkinsons Midwest said, “Here in the Mid-West, we have an active Branch of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, which, with the support of local contributions and volunteers, has achieved a great deal. We are primarily concerned with the provision of information, helping people to manage their own illness, and encouraging people to keep active and independent.  We stress the value of information exchange and moral support that comes from a lively social interaction. We hold regular monthly meetings where specialist speakers share their knowledge expertise. Our Parkinsons Nurse Specialist also attends and is available to speak to people after the formal part of the meeting.”

Members have taken part in and continue to participate in research projects and work with medical departments at the University of Limerick, where programmes have provided great benefit to the members such as the movement to music based on set dancing at the Department of Physiotherapy.

Ms Conran adds, “We also participate in and have regular voice exercise classes and in regular hydrotherapy sessions. Many social activities follow from these exercises. We also promote activities at National level and support other branches.”

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