Moving Day Keeps Parkinson's Patients Active And Hopeful
There is no cure, but when it comes to hope, there is plenty. Parkinson's Disease affects about one million people in The United States, and more than five million people around the world. The disease is progressive, and impacts movement over time.
Dr. Andrea Malone is an OhioHealth neurologist, and sees patients often that have a variety of visible signs of the progression of the disease. That can include tremors, and stiffness. Over the years, experts have learned far more about the disease, ways to manage the overall health of their patients, and give something that wasn't always easy to come by.
“When we give someone the diagnosis, I like to tell them there’s a lot of hope,” Dr. Malone said. “There’s a lot of things we didn’t know about the disease 50 years ago as neurologists. There’s everything from medications, to exercise, to physical therapy, to occupational therapy to other treatments.”
Now, a huge part of the work being done between doctor and patient is movement. OhioHealth Delay The Disease has been a big success in this arena. The fitness program is designed to empower people with PD to take control of the disease with daily exercise.
Delay the Disease fitness programs can help with:
- Moving about with ease and confidence in a crowd
- Getting out of bed or rising from a chair independently
- Improved handwriting; dressing independently
- Diminishing worry that stiffness, slow steps and other symptoms are obvious, regaining a sense of moving with normality
Each year, there is another group of people working hard on awareness and hope. Moving Day Columbus brings together patients, doctors, caregivers, supporters, and those who donate time and money to the cause.
The Moving day event this year will take place Sunday, September 11th at Mapfre Stadium. Registration will begin at noon, movement activities at 1:20 p.m., and the walk steps off at 2 p.m. The funds raised from the event will benefit the National Parkinson Foundation, as well as local efforts.
The ambassador of the walk this year will be Scott Rider. Rider was a star athlete in high school in Hilliard, and in college at The Ohio State University. Now, in his 50's he has battled Parkinson's for several years. Despite that, he says he will not let the disease define him, or make him stop. Rider says he is looking forward to Moving Day, and raising funds that will someday beat this disease and save lives.
10TV News reporter, Tracy Townsend, spoke with Rider and Dr. Malone. You can watch her story above.
