Thursday, May 16, 2024
The Gatesville City Council officially declared April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month at a special meeting on Tuesday.
According to the council agenda, local resident Becky Adams, along with the local Parkinson’s support group, urge the Gatesville community to promote the awareness around Parkinson’s and help fund the fight against the disease.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, nearly 1 million people in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease, and it affects more than 10 million people worldwide. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease.
Symptoms include tremors or shaking, limb stiffness, slow movement, and difficulty with balance and coordination. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but treatment options include medication, lifestyle adjustments, and surgery. While the cause of Parkinson’s remains mostly unknown, scientists believe it could stem from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
“The first step to living well with Parkinson’s disease is to understand the disease and the progression,” according to the Parkinson’s Foundation website.
Those interested in joining a local support group can contact Adams via email at ra76528@gmail.com
To learn more about the Parkinson’s Foundation and resources and research related to the disease, visit www.parkinson.org
