Moray MP Backs new ‘Parkinson’s Is’ campaign
Moray MP Douglas Ross is backing a new campaign launched today (Thursday) on World Parkinson’s Day which is aiming to raise awareness and promote better understanding of the condition and the daily difficulties faced by people who have been diagnosed with it.
Supporters in Moray will be lighting up local buildings in the charity colours of blue to show their support for the campaign. Anderson's Care Home, Elgin; Covesea Skerries Lighthouse, Lossiemouth and the fountain on the Elgin plainstones will all be lit up in blue today.
Douglas said: “I am happy to lend my support to the ‘Parkinson’s Is’ campaign which aims to shine a spotlight on the condition and help change attitudes by highlighting the reality of everyday life for those living with it and for their families.
“Many of us in Moray will know someone who has been diagnosed with the condition, but we may not know much about the condition and how it affects individuals and those close to them. This campaign gives us a chance to learn a little more, so we can offer support to people we know who live with the condition. I hope the various locations in Moray being illuminated in blue will attract more interest in the work Parkinson’s charities are doing locally here in Moray and across the country.”
Parkinson’s is a serious neurological condition with more than 40 symptoms that affects people of all ages. It causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. Currently there is no cure. 12,400 people in Scotland have Parkinson’s and about 30 people are diagnosed each week. But recent research says 8 out of 10 people with Parkinson’s believe that awareness and understanding is low because people don’t consider it to be a serious condition - and only associate it with one symptom - a tremor.
Douglas added: “One in 37 of us will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in our lifetime, and I’m very proud to support Parkinson’s UK’s new campaign to challenge widely held misconceptions about the condition.”
Annie Macleod, Scotland Director of Parkinson’s UK said: “Despite the fact that Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s, many people still don’t understand what Parkinson’s is or how it affects people.
“We hope our new campaign which sees people across Scotland and the rest of the UK share how the condition affects their lives will raise awareness and help correct public misconceptions about this much misunderstood condition.
“We’re grateful for the support of Douglas to help bring this message to a wider audience and help change the lives of thousands of people in Scotland and the UK for the better.”
