April is Parkinson's Awareness Month-Parkinson Society Canada Encourages Canadians With Parkinson's to Get Active, Get …

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -03/28/12)- Attention: Health and Lifestyle Editors

This April, Parkinson's Awareness Month, Parkinson Society Canada wants the Canadian public to know that a Parkinson disease diagnosis is a call to take control, find answers and stay informed. More than 100,000 Canadians are living with Parkinson's.

While the symptoms of Parkinson's disease affect each individual differently, whether it is walking, eating, or getting dressed to go to work, everything takes more time, and can cause frustration. There are steps individuals can take to keep their symptoms from progressing too quickly.

"Rather than waiting for a drug to come out and help us, exercise is something we can do, at this very moment, to take care of ourselves," says Linda Jean Remmer, 62, diagnosed in December 2009. Linda Jean says being active makes her feel better, knowing she is doing something. "It gives me hope."

Parkinson's is a chronic degenerative neurological disease caused by a loss of dopamine in the brain. It affects over 100,000 Canadians. There is no cure. Symptoms include: resting tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness or rigidity of muscles, difficulty with balance and walking, changes in voice volume and speech, and difficulty with fine movements. Non-motor symptoms include depression, loss of sense of smell, sleep disturbances and cognitive changes. The average age of onset is 60, but it can affect people as young as 30 or 40.

Parkinson's affects the whole family. Spouses and care partners are encouraged to participate in managing the treatment for this movement disorder. Lillian Hildebrandt, whose husband Bruno has lived with Parkinson's for eight years says, "We've always done things together - cycling, cross-country skiing and walking. I want to be by Bruno's side encouraging him and supporting whatever he does." Lillian says keeping in shape also helps her with caregiving.

Parkinson Society Canada, with 10 regional partners and 240 chapters and support groups, has been providing education, support, and advocacy on behalf of more than 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinson's since 1965. Its research program is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Canadians living with Parkinson's, identifying causes and some day, a cure. To find out more about Parkinson's disease and services available near you, call 1-800-565-3000 or visit http://www.parkinson.ca.

In October 2013, Parkinson Society Canada will host the 3rd World Parkinson Congress in Montreal, Quebec. This is the only international gathering of its kind where scientists, people with Parkinson's and policy makers share their vision, passion, and scientific progress. For more information visit http://www.parkinson.ca/WPC2013.

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April is Parkinson's Awareness Month-Parkinson Society Canada Encourages Canadians With Parkinson's to Get Active, Get ...