Dr Lisa Cameron MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow shows her support on World Parkinson’s Day
Dr Lisa Cameron MP has shown her support for the local Parkinson’s community on World Parkinson’s Day, 11 April. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and currently there is no cure.
Lisa attended a parliamentary drop in session to hear from a number of people affected by the condition. With more than 40 symptoms, everyone’s experience of Parkinson’s is different, making it hard for people to understand without first hand experience. The session was designed to start conversations and increase understanding among MPs and members of the House of Lords of what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s or as the carer of someone with the condition.
The session was held as part of this year’s activities to mark World Parkinson’s Day. This year, members of the Parkinson’s community chose to encourage people to Talk About Parkinson’s to increase visibility and understanding of the condition.
Lisa said:
“It was incredibly powerful to hear people telling their Parkinson’s story. The complexity of the condition coupled with the impact of the restrictions on the clinically vulnerable during the pandemic. And the challenges families face in accessing timely, high-quality Parkinson’s care demonstrate there is much we can all do to show our support for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.
More than 12,000 people are already living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis in Scotland, and every week, about 30 people are diagnosed. That’s more than 1, 500 each year.