Who said what: 4 powerful Parkinson’s quotes we loved this week

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

A weekly roundup of our favourite Parkinson’s related quotes, as selected by the Parkinson’s Life editorial team:

“The rope is representative of that battle, the need to hold on, to be fighting every day”

– Michael McCastle, US Navy officer who is rope-climbing the height of Everest after losing his father to Parkinson’s

“I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all of my endeavours in life”

– Kirk Gibson, former baseball player on his diagnosis

*“With Parkinson’s, sometimes you wake up and think: ‘Why the f*** did they pick me?’ But, you know, that’s part of life”*

– Freddie Roach, trainer of boxer Manny Paquiao

“The amount of new knowledge in the field of Parkinson’s disease gained in the past five years exceeds everything we knew from the previous 200 years”

– John Jurenko, healthcare research philanthropist who recently passed away after living with Parkinson’s

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EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

The European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) has signed the Dying to Work Charter – a pledge protecting the workplace rights of people with serious conditions. The charter – part of the Trade Union Congress’ wider Dying to Work campaign – has so far protected over half a million workers in the UK. The Dying to Work campaign group, chaired by MEP Rory Palmer, is calling on the European Union to amend its current legislation. The campaign is asking for serious conditions to be identified as a ‘protected characteristic’ – meaning employees would enjoy a protected period after diagnosis which would ensure the couldn’t be unfairly dismissed. Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA, said: “At the EPDA, we are committed to improving employment conditions, reducing stigma and ensuring accessibility to essential services for all people with Parkinson’s disease.” Image: Rory Palmer MEP (left) and Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA…

New wearable device could counteract gait

Scientists at the National University of Ireland Galway have created a wearable device that they believe will help people with Parkinson’s to walk more easily. The device, named cueStim, is worn around the waist and delivers fixed rhythmic sensory stimulation to the wearer. This will counteract ‘freezing of gait’ symptoms that are often experienced by people living with the condition. The scientists collaborated with professionals from UK medical board NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to test the device, and found that it significantly reduced the time taken for a person with Parkinson’s to complete walking tasks. Gearóid Ó Laighin, professor of electrical engineering at NUI Galway, said: “We are now seeking additional clinical partners to work with NUI Galway in carrying out a comprehensive long-term clinical evaluation of cueStim in enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease through a funded programme of research.”

Could robots replace animals in Parkinson’s medical trials?

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, are testing new treatments for Parkinson’s disease on robots. Academics at the university – who are collaborating with the International Institute for Neurosciences of Natal, Brazil – will use computer models of the human brain to simulate the effect medication has on people living with Parkinson’s. The study – which is the first of its kind – could lead to a major shift in the way that Parkinson’s treatments are tested in the future, and potentially put an end to animal testing. Dr Patricia A Vargas, the lead collaborator of the study said: “Our hope is two-fold – to reduce and replace animals in research, and to help and inform new therapies, treatments and even the cure for this debilitating disease.”

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Who said what: 4 powerful Parkinson’s quotes we loved this week

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

“The rope is representative of that battle, the need to hold on, to be fighting every day”

“I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all of my endeavours in life”

*“With Parkinson’s, sometimes you wake up and think: ‘Why the f*** did they pick me?’ But, you know, that’s part of life”*

“The amount of new knowledge in the field of Parkinson’s disease gained in the past five years exceeds everything we knew from the previous 200 years”

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Health & Fitness

Workout in the wilderness with leading Parkinson’s health professionals

Global update

“I #UniteForParkinsons because…”

In my country

Parkinson’s in South Africa

EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

New wearable device could counteract gait

Could robots replace animals in Parkinson’s medical trials?

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Who said what: 4 powerful Parkinson’s quotes we loved this week

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

“The rope is representative of that battle, the need to hold on, to be fighting every day”

“I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all of my endeavours in life”

“With Parkinson’s, sometimes you wake up and think: ‘Why the f*** did they pick me?’ But, you know, that’s part of life”

“The amount of new knowledge in the field of Parkinson’s disease gained in the past five years exceeds everything we knew from the previous 200 years”

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

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Health & Fitness

Workout in the wilderness with leading Parkinson’s health professionals

Global update

“I #UniteForParkinsons because…”

In my country

Parkinson’s in South Africa

EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

New wearable device could counteract gait

Could robots replace animals in Parkinson’s medical trials?

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*“With Parkinson’s, sometimes you wake up and think: ‘Why the f*** did they pick me?’ But, you know, that’s part of life”*