Lockyer Valley Regional Parkinson’s Support Group would like to invite members of the community to a presentation by Professor Silburn discussing Parkinson’s Disease, followed by an open forum on August 25.
It is estimated that more than 80,000 people have Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in Australasia, and numbers are known to be increasing, yet little is known about this disease. It is commonly thought that tremors are the only symptom of PD but this is far from reality. Other symptoms include muscle stiffness, which affects the ability to walk and use hands, loss of voice range, slowness of movement, impairment of balance, freezing and other neurological disturbances. Though a cure has not been found, many kinds of treatment are now available to reduce the impact of symptoms in everyday life.
The Lockyer Valley Regional Parkinson’s Support Group is one of many support groups throughout Queensland, with the aim of increasing knowledge of treatments and services available, providing education for people with the diagnosis of PD, their carers, families and friends, and to increase community awareness of the impact of the disease, by regular seminars on many different topics of interest.
All support groups operate under the umbrella of Parkinson’s Queensland Inc, and all materials are reviewed by PQI before publication.
We feel that attendance at this presentation by Professor Silburn is a great opportunity for those with PD, their carers, families and friends, and all allied health providers to create more awareness of the different fields of care and to assist in better management of symptoms and treatments.
Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive disabling neurological disorder, the cause of which remains unknown. Ongoing research has focused on various genes, exposure to certain chemicals, and other mechanisms which may play a part in causing this disorder. The symptoms and findings associated with PD are thought to be primarily the result in progressive loss of nerve cells within the Substantia Nigra and striatum of the brain, thus causing a deficiency in production of the neurotransmitter Dopamine. Early diagnosis is of benefit to those diagnosed with the disease.
Due to a lack of knowledge about this disease and treatments available in regional areas, we are offering this invitation to as many people as possible in south-east Queensland to attend this presentation. A chat about PD over a cup of tea, on August 25, will also help gain knowledge for all interested parties. Your input into this presentation will also be much appreciated.
Lyndell Einam,
Coordniator Lockyer Valley Parkinson’s Support Group
