Fighting Parkinson’s with a Walk in the Park

FIGHT Parkinsons are encouraging as many people as possible to head to Eastern Beach Park this Sunday (May 5).

The Walk in the Park fundraiser hopes to build an understanding around Parkinson’s while raising money so information, education and support programs can continue being delivered.

Parkinson’s is a chronic neurological condition affecting people from their mid-30’s, it’s estimated around 57,000 people live with the disease.

Local Rose De Kook was diagnosed three years ago and has participated in the walk ever since.

“I just find the community all get together and you see everyone walking around and chatting, it’s a big community thing,” she said.

Ms De Kook knew she had a bit of a tremor but wasn’t sure what it was, she was seeing a rheumatologist at the time who suggested she get a referral to a neurologist.

“There was a big checklist, and I checked most of the things that were on that list, so it was a bit of a shock.

“It happens to everyone at different times, I think we cope with things as we need to.”

Walking with her husband, three daughters and 10 grandchildren, Ms De Kook hopes people will gain a deeper understanding of the condition.

“We don’t all have the same symptoms, so we act a little bit differently sometimes, just bear with us, we’re still the same person underneath.”

Ms De Kook attends an exercise group specifically for Parkinson’s where she meets with others who have the condition.

The groups allows everybody to come together, Ms De Kook said it gives her a boost and makes it easier when she’s got people around that understand her.

“If you tremor or you’re shaking and something like that starts up and you’re in a group of people with Parkinson’s, nobody takes any notice or we all just joke with each other.

“My husband always says when I come home from the exercise, I’ve always got a smile on my face.”

There will be a sausage sizzle, music, coffee and speeches starting at 9.30 am, with participants heading off for the 2km walk at 10.30am.

For more information, head to parkinsonswalkgeelong.com.au