MBPJ Makes Parkinson's Pledge

RETIRED school teacher Teresa Loi, 68, said she first experienced the symptoms of the Parkinson's disease in her early 30s when she felt slight tremors in her hands.

But she was only diagnosed with the disease when she was 39.

Mother of three, Loi said, there were times when she was disheartened but she strived to stay positive.

"Take each day as it comes. Don't think you can't do many things when you have Parkinson's. You  can still achieve many things in life. Happiness is  in your hands," said the soft-spoken Loi who has a slight difficulty with speech.

She was among those who attended the World Parkinson's Day celebration on  April 1 at Petaling Jaya City Council's banquet hall.  It was officiated by state executive councillor Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar. Guests were treated to lunch, performances, health checks and Parkinson's patients were taught to paint.

The highlight of the celebration  was the signing of the Global Parkinson's Pledge. The pledge was first given at the second World Parkinson's Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, on October 2010.

The objective was to create awareness of the disease and to press for more research for a cure.

Loi is grateful for the free medication she receives as a retired government servant.

She hopes her application for disabled status (OKU) will be approved soon as she will then be able to enjoy special welfare privileges.

Loi's daughter, who wished to be known as Sarah, said she used to accompany her mother by train from Penang to Kuala Lumpur for treatment.

"Public amenities for the disabled can be improved in the country. It will enable more people with special needs to move freely. We used to take the train from Penang to seek treatment at University Hospital," said Sarah.

Another Parkinson's patient Philip Lee, 53, said when he read an article in the New Straits Times about writer's cramp, he thought he had the same symptoms.

"However, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a neurologist nine years ago. Lee said, initially, he refused to tell others that he had the disease.

"Mentally, I wanted to stay positive. For a person in my condition, I have overcome several difficulties with the help of the Rotary Club of Kuala Terengganu," said Philip.

Philip is also active in golf and runs in events organised by the Kuala Terengganu Hash House Harriers.

He set up the Rehabilitation Association of Kuala Terengganu with the help of the Rotary Club of Kuala Terengganu.

Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association president Sara Lee said many Parkinson's sufferers in the country have problems obtaining welfare benefits.

Last year, the OKU status was extended to those suffering from Parkinson's disease.

Sara said the monthly medication cost for a patient could be between RM500 and RM1,000.

Sara said Parkinson's is often seen as a disease which only affects the elderly. But in reality, sufferers might even begin to feel the symptoms in their early 40s.

"Those who do not have the means will find the medication, which controls the disease, expensive," said Sara.

She said it is estimated that there are about 60,000 with Parkinson's in the country, and, globally, about 10 million.

It is a chronic, degenerative neurological disease which affects the mobility of a person and there is no known cure.

Among the early signs are body stiffness, postural instability, slow movement and tremors.

The next congress will be held in October next year in Montreal, Canada. For details, visit www.parkinsonspledge.org.

Former councillor T. Anthony, who spearheaded the event, said   MBPJ had been  organising the   for Parkinson's disease sufferers for the past three years.

"I hope other local councils, public and governmental bodies will also increase public awareness of this disease.

"It has no cure but the patient could control the condition from worsening if proper medication is taken from its early stage," he said.

Famous Hollywood actor Michael J. Fox also suffers from the disease.

Parkinson's Day is held  on April 11 annually to commemorate the birthday of James Parkinson.

He was first identified with the disease in 1817.

The day is also associated with the  red tulip, which  is the international symbol of the disease.

Read more: MBPJ makes Parkinson's pledge - Central - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/mbpj-makes-parkinson-s-pledge-1.72797#ixzz1ricwQ2UG

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War Against Parkinson's Is Winnable

I was among the company of a number of truly great and gifted people last Saturday.  

Nearly a hundred of them to be exact – the rest of which came up to another 100 people were made up of caregivers and supporters of my special friends.

We were all at the Petaling Jaya Community Library celebrating World Parkinson’s Day (WPD).

And even though the actual special day falls on April 11 of each year, the organiser of the event which was the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) decided to go ahead anyway with the celebration for people with Parkinson’s (PwP).

This, to me, spoke much about the commitment level of the council to follow through with the cause and plight of PwP in our nation, as this was the second time in a row it was doing such a thing.

Last year MBPJ celebrated WPD outdoors. It was held in the garden of its headquarters in PJ with a unique drum therapy session and a physical exercise catered for PwP.

This time round, MBPJ took a more serious approach towards the disease of the nervous system that progresses over a period of time causing the muscles to become weak and arms and legs to shake.  

Two of the country’s leading specialists on Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Kuala Lumpur Assoc Prof Dr Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim and Dr Lim Shen-Yang were invited to present their expert opinions on the subject.    

They also volunteer their services as consultants to the only national society to support them, called the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA) in KL as medical advisers.

The MPDA was also a co-partner in putting together the MBPJ’s event.

Dr Norlinah who is head of the neurology unit at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre in Cheras presented an all-you-wanted-and-need-to-know-about-PD talk with slides and covered all the latest treatment and available drugs in the market.

Dr Norlinah uncovered some sobering facts about PD, pointing out that it affects more people – including younger folk - than most of us care to think.

She revealed that PD was the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and that the numbers are not only increasing but that it is expected to double in the next 25 years, affecting those who are 50 years and above.  

Dr Lim who is consultant neurologist at the University Malaya Medical Centre focused on the neuropsychiatric aspects of PD.

He touched on the difficult struggles that PwP had to go through from depression to dementia and even habits of gambling and hypersexual behaviour caused by certain drugs taken by PwP.

Dr Lim pointed out that psychosis and dementia are the major reasons why PwP often have to be cared for in nursing home placements.

Some medication given by psychiatrists unknowingly may even worsen a condition called “Parkinsonism”.

“In many instances the care of patients with PD is complex and patients deserve to be cared for by people (doctors, allied health professionals, etc.) with a specific interest in this disorder,” said Dr Lim.

“This ‘right’ is embodied in the Global Declaration on PD, which was recently endorsed in Malaysia by numerous signatories, including the Minister for Health,” he concluded.  

Apart from the serious talks, which kept everybody in rapt attention, there was also a laughter therapy segment that helped us all to loosen up. It was not just for our vocal cords but we were all asked to do some physical movements to the laughter.

Yours Truly was also asked to give a speech earlier on at the event.

“Although I don’t have PD, I am sitting in a wheelchair like many of you,” I said as I saw the warm smiles that lit up the faces of many elderly persons in the hall.

“Through the connection of my wheelchair and my disability I can understand how you all feel especially being in a situation where you can’t get your limbs to do exactly what you want,” I said to more smiles from the audience. Some even clapped to show their support.

“Thank you for all the wonderful stories of deep courage that you have given me to share with readers of Wheel Power.

I wish many of you could sit in front of my computer and read of the scores of emails from the public across the country who were greatly encouraged by reading your personal struggles with Parkinson’s,” I said before concluding with a great quote by the “Back To The Future” actor Michael J Fox who has PD.

It was quoted by MPDA President Sara Lew at the beginning of her speech:

“The war against Parkinson’s is winnable. And you can play a part in its victory.”

For more information about PD, please contact the MPDA at 03 7980 6685 or visit www.mpda.org.my                   

The End

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is 45,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my