By Molly Magennis and Tima Halloum
The number of Victorians living with Parkinson’s disease, estimated to currently be 57,000, is rapidly increasing and neurological disorders are now the leading cause of disabilities worldwide.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and many organisations and health centres across the nation launched campaigns to increase the public’s understanding of symptoms and treatments available.
ParKanDo is a support group in Melbourne’s west run solely by volunteers with a personal understanding of living with Parkinson’s.
Their mission is to increase the number and diversity of support options for people living with the disease, connect members with people who understand the impacts of Parkinson’s and whilst allowing them to form valuable connections with each other.
Pam West, ParKanDo co-leader and co-secretary, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009.
She officially launched ParKanDo just before COVID alongside current members Peter Wall and his wife Carmel.
With a background in project management and community development, Pam knew she wanted to do something that would help others going through the same thing she was.
While her journey with Parkinson’s has certainly been tough, she said the gratification she gets from helping others is invaluable.
“It’s given me a reason to get out and do something and the best high for me has been helping people, it’s a big part of my life,” she said.
“Selfishly, as much as you give, you get back more and I’ve loved it.
“I’ve gone through the lows…. I was mourning what I thought my life would be at this age and I really struggled with that, and then through the help of a great psychologist and friends, particularly my kids have been amazing, I realised, yes life was over as I knew it, but there was nothing to stop me building a new life.”
Mimi Morgan is also the current co-secretary of ParKanDo.
She was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s in 2020, the same year her brother passed away from the same disease.
Mimi joined ParKanDo not long after her diagnosis, and said she would recommend support groups to anyone suffering from a chronic disease.
She does acknowledge that it can be a bit confronting seeing others with the same condition who are further along in their journey.
“It’s great but it’s a bit confronting because you see people, when you’re in early stages, and you see people in later stages and you wonder if that’s gonna happen to you,” she said.
“So I try not to think about that. I try to just concentrate on every day I get up [and] do what I can to fight Parkinson’s basically.”
For Parkinson’s awareness month, Mimi said that she wants people to know that Parkinson’s is not just a movement disorder, and just because someone looks fine on the outside doesn’t mean they’re not struggling.
“I think there should be more awareness that it’s quite a debilitating disease, but also I want people to have hope you know, like they’ll find a cure or find some better medication that lasts longer.”
ParKanDo welcomes all new members, and the organisation constantly holds events and activities for those with Parkinson’s, chronic diseases and seniors.
For more information visit parkando.org.au.
