Its a question that is asked by many: What is Parkinson’s Disease. With the help of Parkinsons Canada Ambassador Caroline Thornton, the question opens up to a complicated journey of tears and triumphs. Thornton has periodic tremors due to Parkinson’s, and she defines the disease as a “neuro-muscular degenerative” disease. That means it’s a disease that attacks the nerves that communicate with the body’s muscles, causing a variety of physical and mental effects.
Thornton says it might be hard to spot somebody who has Parkinson’s, but the numbers in Canada are skyrocketing.
Parkinson’s breaks down to three distinct areas: one of them is physical, often seen through tremors. However, there are also physical changes in people’s faces, and changes to their balance as well. Thornton even describes a “freezing” phenomena, where those with Parkinson’s will stop moving completely while walking sometimes.
There are 35 discovered symptoms that vary from person-to-person. But emotional trauma is another large issue. Often anxiety is a lead for emotional conditions, and eventually apathy is the final stages that patients struggle with.
Another component is a loss of brain function. “Parkinson’s Depression” is tied to the apathy people feel, including loss of memory and social function.
Unfortunately, Parkinson’s does not get better, but only worsens overtime. Thornton says people don’t start at their worst, but within two years their health could deteriorate dramatically if they wait on diagnosis.
The organization Thornton works with, Parkinson Canada, is described as an organization that improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s– But Thornton says that’s not just the person with the diagnosis. This means care givers, neurologists, physiotherapists, and family members involved as well.
Thornton says she finds it hard to get people to talk about a disease that feels like it’s unknown to the public. Aside from notable exception, actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with the Parkinson’s variant, Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) in 1991.
She says the fight is still on for a cure.
Thornton says the best method to raise awareness is the yearly Parkinson Canada Walk taking place around Canada. A walk will be held in London, starting at Covent Garden Market on September 10th. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m.
Written by: Noah Lorusso