Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst has pledged to help improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s on World Parkinson’s Day (Wednesday 11 April).
On Tuesday 10 April, Kelly Tolhurst MP joined Parkinson’s UK at Sainsbury’s Chatham store, along with local volunteers to understand and promote awareness on what life is like with Parkinson’s, including with specific reference to being a person with Parkinson’s in the workplace. The Rochester and Strood MP was also joined by local councillor Stuart Tranter and Phil Bungay, a local Parkinson’s advocate who has worked with Kelly since her election in 2015 since being diagnosed himself with the condition.
The push for greater awareness is part of the charity’s activity to encourage people to Unite for Parkinson’s on World Parkinson’s Day, as a survey found that 32 per cent of people with Parkinson’s have been stared at in public and 11 per cent have been laughed at. In addition, 32 per cent of people do not feel that their symptoms are socially acceptable.
Parkinson’s affects 145,000 people in the UK, which is on average one in 350 people in Rochester and Strood. With numbers of people affected expected to increase by a fifth by 2025, the charity is aiming to change attitudes about Parkinson’s to make life better for everyone living with the condition.
New training available through Parkinson’s UK teaches about the progressive neurological condition, the complex symptoms people face, as well as how to recognise and best support people with Parkinson’s.
Kelly Tolhurst MP said: “It is shocking that people with Parkinson’s face so many barriers, including being mistaken for being drunk, when out in public.
“It is great that Parkinson’s Day continues to get bigger each year in recognition of the barriers faced by so many people affected by the condition, and I am delighted to join Parkinson’s UK and Sainsbury’s here in Chatham to help make a difference.
“I hope to use this event to raise awareness and understanding within the Medway community and I will be continuing to work with local partners and constituents to ensure this is also taken back to Parliament.”