Longford branch promote Parkinson's Awareness Week

Providing support for people living with Parkinson’s Disease is the core goal of the Longford branch of the Parkinson's Association of Ireland. The group are on an action footing at present as the Parkinson's Awareness Week runs from April 11 to 16.

“Our group consists of about 30 members. Of those around 22 have the conditions,” Chairman Al Shannon says of the local organisation.
The Longford branch is one of eighteen throughout Ireland. Each branch is operated by local volunteers.

Parkinson’s disease, or Parkinson’s as it is generally known, is a progressive neurological disorder. It's classified as a Movement Disorder, with the main symptoms including tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement. Its progression varies from person to person. The symptoms can be effectively controlled with medication for many years.
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of a chemical called dopamine. We lose this chemical as we get older, however, when we lose 80% of our dopamine we start to have the aforementioned symptoms, people with Parkinson’s have lost this chemical at a faster rate than others.

Parkinson's Association of Ireland (PAI) was established in 1987. Their aim is to assist people with the condition, their families, carers and health professionals. The Association is overseen by a National Committee, all of whom are volunteers. The National Office is based in Dublin, headed by a CEO. Volunteers have set up branches across the country.
The Longford branch came into being in 2017. Since then they have been very active. In 2022, the Association appointed a dedicated Parkinson's nurse who advises members on their condition and their medications should they experience problems.

“Her presence in the Association has been a huge success, so successful that a second dedicated nurse is being appointed due to the high volume of enquiries from people with the condition. This service operates on a call-back basis,” Al told the Leader.
Since there is no public funding for the Association the local branches survive on donations, annual subscriptions and fundraising. The Longford Branch was set up in 2017. Since then, the membership has grown.
Al says the local organisation is a great resource: “After Covid lockdown we are slowly getting back to our monthly meet ups, which are held in The Family Centre, St. Mel's Road, Longford.
“Volunteers are always welcome. The Branch contact number is 087 76 40 409. The nurse contact number is 1800 359 359.

“Research shows that physical exercise is a major help for people with this condition. We are in the process of organising weekly sessions for Longford Branch members at Miranda Moran's Physiotherapy Clinic in Newtownforbes. Speech and language classes are also being organised.
“Times and dates to be confirmed at a later date. These treatments will not cure people with Parkinson's, but it will provide a little easement.”
The chairman of the Longford branch of the Parkinson's Association of Ireland hopes the awareness week will bring a greater understanding of what they do to the wider public: “Public support is vital. We don't get any public funding, all money we raise is spent for the benefit of these with the condition.”

Parkinson’s is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s and has no cure.
The symptoms range from loss of smell, loss of power down one side and poor balance to tremor and problems with swallowing and speech.
Al said the growth of the organisation since they were established in 2017 has been down to a dedicated committee. He gave particular thanks to the outgoing treasurer, Mary Connnolly, and the outgoing secretary Brendan Whitty.

The Parkinson's Awareness Week is an annual opportunity to raise awareness and much needed funds to support people with living with the condition, to improve quality of life and to ensure that people live better for longer. It runs from April 11 to 16. More information is available on the PAI website.