Making a difference
Over 200 people are living with Parkinson’s Disease in County Cavan and that figure is expected to double by 2030. SEAN MCMAHON caught up with members of the Cavan branch of the Parkinson’s Association to hear how, in their 10th year, they are helping people living with the disease make the most of their lives...
The Cavan Parkinson’s branch is celebrating 10 years in existence this year. It was originally established as Cavan/Monaghan branch but last year the counties divided into two separate branches. However, it is hoped that the two branches will celebrate the 10th anniversary jointly later this year.
Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world, after Alzheimer’s disease. It is caused by a lack of Dopamine, a chemical required for movement. It is still unknown what causes Parkinson’s to develop. Some 9,000 people in Ireland are living with Parkinson’s.
Symptoms can include slowness of movement, muscle rigidity/stiffness/freezing, tremor, balance problems and stooped posture.
Current treatments include drug therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and surgery. There have been significant improvements in the treatment of Parkinson’s and there is a large amount of research going on all over the world.
It is important to remember that, while there is no cure yet for Parkinson’s, it can be very effectively managed for many years with medication, exercise and healthy lifestyle.
Consequently Parkinson’s Disease can be described as more 'life altering’ than 'life threatening’.
Celebrations
To mark the milestone of the 10th anniversary of the association in Cavan, an Alpen tree, which is used as a symbol of Parkinson’s, was planted in the Con Smith Memorial Park recently by the chairman of Cavan County Council, Paddy Smith (FG) in the presence of the members of the association.
The Aspen tree is strong and enduring. However its leaves tremble even on a still day and this is why the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland has chosen the Aspen leaf as their symbol.
Some of the members of the association, together with spouses, attended a coffee morning in the Hotel Kilmore following the planting of the tree.
Eileen Burke Smyth, branch secretary, told The Anglo-Celt that they organise outings featuring afternoon tea or a coffee morning not only for the people living with Parkinson’s, but also their carers and spouses.
Ms Smyth says that walking and doing exercises is very important for people living with the disease and it also important that they get out and socialise.
To this end, the Cavan branch runs weekly yoga sessions in the community centre in Castlemanor Nursing Home each Friday at 11am.
Ms Smyth is heartened by huge advances in medication for the disease. She tells us that a pump has been developed akin to the insulin pump, which delivers the medicine on a graduated basis day and night. A software implant can also be put in the brain area to stop the tremors.
Fundraising appeal
The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland receives no Government funding and is totally reliant on charitable donations, membership fees and corporate sponsorship.
The local branch is allocated part of each membership fee, but has to fundraise for its own activities. Recently Bailieborough Walking Group organised a 10k and shorter walk to raise funds for the Cavan branch and raised a total of €941.
Ms Smyth says it is hoped that some other sporting or lobby/interest groups might consider Cavan Parkinson’s branch, if they are running fundraising activities.
AGM
The AGM of the Cavan branch of the Parkinson’s Association will take place on Monday, February 15, in the Hotel Kilmore at 7pm.
Living with Parkinson’s
Former Cavan Town councillor Paddy Conaty (63) has been living with Parkinson’s for just over 30 years. “If you are upset about anything, it gets a lot worse. I am on medication and I also have a pump, which keeps me from going into spasm.”
Paddy who served 35 years on the Town Council and 13 years as a county councillor has been involved with Cavan Gaels bingo for the past 40 years and is continuing to call out the numbers. “Calling the numbers keeps me very alert and I thank the bingo people for allowing me to do it,” he said.
He found the speech therapy very helpful and it gave him the impetus to speak out louder. He recently gave up driving because he found he did not have the confidence to drive.
“Unfortunately, older people are inclined to be forgotten about and it is up to us as people living with Parkinson’s to help out and highlight our situation, such as we are doing today and give encouragement to other people to come out and talk about their problems,” said Paddy.
No surprise
Victor Ennis (75) Managing Director of A.W. Ennis Feed Mill at Maghera told us of his diagnosis five years ago - he first noticed it in the tips of his fingers. “I knew things were not going according to plan. The body was not reacting as it should do. I was not at all surprised when I went to the Doctor that he sent me to a specialist, who said I had Parkinson’s. My father died with Parkinson’s – not of Parkinson’s”.
Victor who resides with his wife in Carnaross is now thinking of giving speech therapy a go.
His late father bought the old Mill in Ballyconnell in the late ’30s/early ’40s and there was also a plant in Sean McDermott Street in Dublin.
“Living with Parkinson’s causes inconveniences in many ways including little things like shutting buttons – at times I can spend half an hour at that,” said Victor.
'Life is very good’
Seamus Minogue (81) from Belturbet says he has been living with Parkinson’s for about 17 years and still manages to play a bit of golf.
He first noted the onset of Parkinson’s and a little shake appeared in his left hand. “Generally, life is very good in fact. You have specific medication tailored to your needs.”
Seamus says he has a penchant for going out walking in the evenings when it is nice and quiet. “I drive the car everyday and in to Cavan no bother. You don’t let your normal routine go”.
A relief
Danny Byrne from Cootehill said it was more or less a relief when he was diagnosed last February, as he had not been sure what the problem was for about five years prior to that.
“It showed up first in my balance and the strength in my hands was going. I used to play a lot of darts,” he said.
He went to see a Professor Kelly and the medication he prescribed has been a 'God’s send’ . “My movement has improved and the things I can do now, I could not attempt last July,” said Danny.
“I do not drive, which is a bit of a miss, but I have the travel pass and I use the bus services on a very regular basis,” he added.
'Don’t panic!’
“I would say to anything, who is diagnosed with Parkinson’s – don’t panic! Just listen to what you are being told by the professionals. Most of all, it is not the end of the world. You will have to make changes, but they are changes you can live with”.
'Take it day by day’
Bernie Fitzpatrick, Cavan Road, Ballyhaise said she had been living with Parkinson’s for the past 12 years. “I find it very difficult at times – it can become very stressful.”
She first noticed a slight tremor in her left arm. “I had been teaching and I found it difficult to write – it developed from there on.”
Bernie finds it “very beneficial to be a member of the Cavan branch and meeting people and discussing their ways of coping with the illness. You have to put your best effort into getting out”. She finds the pump very helpful.
Her advice is “take it day by day and try to make the best of it – and don’t concentrate on the future – today is what counts”.
Accessing services
Physiotherapy - for 65 years and over- simply ask your GP, Consultant neurologist, or any member of the Public Health Team e.g. Public Health Nurse or Speech &Language Therapist to refer you for physio.
For 18-65 years - Contact the Physical and Sensory Team Administration in St. Christopher’s, Loreto Rd, Cavan Tel 049 4332999.
Speech & Language Therapy - for 65 years and over Within Cavan/Monaghan, there is an open referral system for Speech & Language Therapy Services, which means the individual can refer themselves. Please contact your local primary care team e.g. GP, Public Health Nurse or Physiotherapist for more information.
The speech and language therapist Ann McMahon and the physiotherapist Michelle Hall are readily available to talk to association members and those diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
For 18- 65 years - Contact the Physical and Sensory Team Administration in St. Christopher’s, Loreto Rd, Cavan Tel 049 4332999.