Exercise counts: Professor of Physiotherapy at Melbourne University and board member of Fight Parkinson’s Jenny McGinley speaking to attendees.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
A Parkinson’s disease seminar was held at the Mercure Hotel on Tuesday, where family members and people with the condition attended the event, which seeks to help those people live better.
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Three information sessions were held that invited family members, business leaders, and sufferers so everyone can better understand how to access services in rural areas.
Board member of Fight Parkinson’s and Professor of Physiotherapy at Melbourne University, Jenny McGinley, spoke at the event, along with Echuca resident and facilitator Alex Adkins.
“I’m very pleased with the numbers of people that have come along,” Mr Adkins said.
“Jenny is a wonderful guest speaker. We’re grateful to have her here today in Echuca.”
People from as far as Deniliquin, Castlemaine, and Kyabram attended the event, seeking to understand the disease.
Professor McGinley was happy with the turnout, with 75 people attending the second seminar.
Thankful: Professor Jenny McGinley, facilitator of the event Alex Adkins, and manager of health, clinical and community services Victor McConvey at the event.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“It’s good to see that the community have come out to participate in the seminars we are hosting today,” Professor McGinley said.
“Over the past two decades, we have seen improvements in medication and changes in treatment from medical specialists, but also from the multidisciplinary teams, such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists and social workers who help people live a good life and delay the progression of Parkinson’s.”
Professor McGinley said that while the disease is not rare but quite common, the turnout was a good sign that the broader community was beginning to understand the negative impacts of the illness that plagues so many members of society.
“I am excited looking forward to the current trials and understanding how regular exercise plays a positive role for people early in the course of their disease and the health benefits associated with movement,” she said.
Informative: The Fight Parkinson's Seminar was held at the Mercure Hotel on Tuesday afternoon where 75 people made their way to the two of three information sessions.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
A similar sentiment was shared by Fight Parkinson’s manager of health, clinical and community services, Victor McConvey.
“The most effective thing that people with Parkinson’s conditions can do is to learn more about their condition,” he said.
“To understand there is a range of treatments that go beyond a diagnosis from a neurologist, which includes exercise and participating in community activities.”
Mr McConvey said it would be hard to go to a gym if you had never been to one before.
“If you start slowly and build up slowly, that will be the most effective way to start,” Mr McConvey said.
“Walking or even Tai Chi are other alternatives that would be good ways to build confidence slowly.”
For more information on available treatments in your area, please contact the national Parkinson’s Australia phone number on 1800 644 189.
