SDLP Foyle Westminster candidate Mark Durkan is supporting Parkinson’s Awareness Week (20-26 April) and this year’s theme of encouraging people to ‘up your friendly’ towards sufferers – more than half of whom have experienced rudeness or hostility from the general public.
Parkinson’s UK wants the public to show more patience and understanding to sufferers of the degenerative neurological condition which causes tremors, slow movements and rigidity – following findings from their new survey which said being stared at, laughed at or mistaken for drunk left sufferers feeling “intimidated” and “invisible”.
Mr Durkan, who as a member of the All–Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s Disease which has produced reports alongwith Parkinson’s UK, said: “This survey highlights that 46% of people with Parkinson’s are experiencing depression and 62% suffer from anxiety as a result of insensitive public reactions.
“Indeed, many sufferers now feel trapped in their homes for fear of public humiliation.
“I am therefore supporting this important campaign which highlights that a simple ‘smile’ or act of kindness can make all the difference to people with Parkinson’s – not least approximately 185 sufferers in Derry.
“I am also delighted to support this week’s wider events aimed at raising awareness of Parkinson’s – having lobbied at Westminster calling for further government investment in a cure and better treatments for people who suffer from this debilitating disease.”
