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The Stornoway Town Hall and The Lewis War Memorial joined a number of iconic buildings and attractions in the UK being lit blue on Monday 11^th April 2022 to celebrate World Parkinson’s Day.  The event also sought to raise awareness of the disease’s prevalence within our local communities. 

Angela MacLeod, NHS Western Isles Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse, explained “We currently have over 80 people in the Western Isles living with Parkinson’s disease.  Furthermore, with a range of over 40 symptoms, each person is unique in how this disease affects them.”  

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition, meaning that it causes problems in the brain, and gets worse over time.  Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s in the UK, and it is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.  Whilst there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, there are a number of different treatments, therapies and support available to help manage the condition. 

Angela added “When COVID-19 first presented two years ago, every person in the UK was affected and limited in some way in terms of having their movements restricted.  However, this is the daily case for someone with Parkinson’s, and they have no say whatsoever on how they have either too much or too little bodily movement. 

“We hope that by raising awareness and getting people to talk more openly about Parkinson’s disease, it can relieve the anxiety around it and let those with Parkinson’s, their families and friends in the Western Isles know they are not alone, especially in these difficult times.” This year, Parkinson’s UK supported two activities, chosen and led by a group of dedicated and passionate volunteers: Poems for Parkinson’s which encourages individuals to tell the world how Parkinson’s has affected them or a loved one, and Light Up Blue for Parkinson’s.  To find out more visit https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/world-parkinsons-day

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