A GROUP in Dumfries is making great strides helping people in the area with Parkinsons.
And member Miller Caldwell has been sharing how it is assisting him to live with the condition, with which he was diagnosed four years ago.
The author attends the Dumfries UK Parkinson’s Group and is keen to highlight it for others in the area who may also benefit.
He said: “In Scotland, 30 people are newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s each week. It is the fastest-growing disease in the world today, but it has no known cure.
“There are more male patients than female. Increasing evidence points to biological sex as an important factor in the development and phenotypical expression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The risk of developing PD is more than three times as high in men than women.
“It is a disease of the brain where there is insufficient dopamine and that restricts movement. It may have no cure, but local sufferers have taken major steps to limit the progress of the disease. Coupled with their medication comes exercise, for Parkinson’s disease detests exercise!”
Miller, and others, start the week with physiotherapy on a Monday morning.
“Ten ‘stations’ are engaged each week under the watchful eye of physiotherapists Erin Traill and Katie Begg.
“We end our session by winding down and cooling off with a Tai Chi session.”
Table tennis is on offer on a Monday and Thursday morning too; while Wednesdays are all about pilates. It takes place at St Mary’s Industrial estate and Miller said: “Andrea takes us through our paces on chairs and on the mats.”
Ross Philips runs the Wednesday boxing sessions, which are non contact.
And the week rounds off with Nordic Police walking on Friday mornings at the Crichton grounds.
Miller added: “The Nordic Pole walkers set out after Linda Shankland gives us some stationary exercises and then takes our café orders. Of course, you don’t need poles to walk but they support us in case of a Parkinson’s fall, which some of us have experienced.”
Meanwhile, a branch meeting is held in Dumfries on the third Tuesday afternoon of every month, offering friendship, support and information to those with Parkinson’s, their families and carers.
* To find out more, call the branch secretary on 07955 589033.
