HEAD of the Ballarat Parkinson\u2019s Peer Support Group, Elaine Maberly, has received the first Harold Waldron Carer\u2019s Award from Parkinson\u2019s Victoria.<\/p>\n
The award was created by the organisation as a way of recognising the valuable contributions made family and friends in the wider Parkinson\u2019s community.<\/p>\n
Nine years ago Ms Meberly husband of 50 years, Jonathan, passed away, however she\u2019s continued on as the leader of the city\u2019s Parkinson\u2019s Peer Support Group.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still involved because they won\u2019t let me go really,\u201d she said. \u201cI say someone else should take over, but say they like me where I am.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Meberly\u2019s partner was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s in 1996 and then joined the support group after their daughters saw it advertised.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe enjoyed being in the group, maybe he relaxed more, because you don\u2019t have to pretend to do or be better than you are because everyone else is in the same boat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
About a year-and-a-half later Ms Maberly also joined the group and has gone on to be its leader as well as present exercise classes related to the illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything I\u2019ve done was a reaction to a need that I knew I could do something about, so I just got on and did it. But my training as a physiotherapist has been absolutely instrumental,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HEAD of the Ballarat Parkinson\u2019s Peer Support Group, Elaine Maberly, has received the first Harold Waldron Carer\u2019s Award from Parkinson\u2019s Victoria. The award was created by the organisation as a way of recognising the valuable contributions made family and friends in the wider Parkinson\u2019s community. Nine years ago Ms Meberly husband of 50 years, Jonathan, […]<\/p>\n