12/04/2015
The world engaged in World Parkinson’s Day and Kenya was not to be left behind. For the first time ever, the Africa Parkinson Disease Foundation (APDF) held the premier Parkinson’s Day event at the National Arboretum Park in Nairobi on Saturday the 11th of April from 8am to 12pm.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. There are many different symptoms associated with PD, but the order in which these develop and their severity is different for each individual with the condition although it is unlikely that a person with Parkinson's disease would experience all or most of these.
The three main symptoms associated with PD include uncontrollable shaking, better known as tremors, which usually begin in the hand or arm region and are more likely to occur when the limb is at rest; slowness of movement where physical movements are much slower than normal thus making everyday tasks difficult and can result in a distinctive slow, shuffling walk with very small steps; and finally there is muscle stiffness or rigidity and tension which can make it difficult to move around and make facial expressions.
APDF are the first and only organization in East Africa working exclusively to support people living with PD, their families and caregivers. The event seeks to empower both patients and communities through sensitization and active participation in raising awareness around the challenges that are faced daily, and the possible opportunities in getting involved with APDF.
The World Parkinson’s Awareness Day event was a chance to interact with APDF, people living with PD, and neurologists so as to learn more about PD, and ways in which the larger community can contribute to the noble cause of the APDF. It was a morning full of fun and educational activities including a fitness challenge, talks, and workout programmes’ to name a few.
