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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The late Muhammad Ali (Getty Image)
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The Kingdor National Parkinson’s Foundation, Bahamas Chapter joins other countries of the world in celebrating the life and mourning the death of Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest”. He was indeed the greatest ambassador for telling the Parkinson’s story. The most exciting, yet, heart-wrenching was his lighting the torch at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. It did not matter that his hands were shaking uncontrollably; he held that torch high with pride and joy.
Based on Ali’s long life with the condition, the Parkinson community realizes that one can live a full and rewarding life for many years. Ali lived with Parkinson’s disease for 32 years and he fought the condition to the end. Mortality of Parkinson disease patients is often related to secondary complications such as pneumonia, fall related injuries and respiratory conditions, which was Ali’s case.
Studies concur that it is of paramount importance that Parkinsonians continue doing the things he or she normally did prior to the illness, instead of giving up and fading away.
Dr. Michael Okum, Neurology Chairman at the University of Florida and Medical Director of the National Parkinson Foundation stated that Muhammad Ali’s diagnosis and life with the condition was transformational for the field. Prior to his diagnosis, very little was known about Parkinson’s disease, which is not only progressive but debilitating as well. Parkinson’s disease was known as the “closet” disease, no one talked about it openly. In The Bahamas, over the past 16 years, The Kingdor National Parkinson Foundation has taken on the mammoth task of educating and sensitizing the populace regarding Parkinson’s disease and granting assistance to the National Parkinson Foundation to fund research and to Parkinsonians needing assistance.
In early 1990’s, Muhammad Ali went to the United States Congress seeking research dollars for the Foundation; and, was actually the first major celebrity to bring traction and a sense of hopefulness to the cause. He was described by many persons as a positive, inspirational and courageous individual; when he travelled, he made it known that he had Parkinson’s disease but Parkinson’s did not have him.
Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating, neurodegenerative condition whose cardinal signs are asymmetric tremors at rest, rigidity of muscle (inflexibility) and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and many other dysfunctions. Parkinson’s disease was named after James Parkinson, a general practitioner in London, England during the 17th century; -. He was the first to describe the symptoms for this disease.
Furthermore, symptoms describing Parkinson’s disease are mentioned in the writings of medicine in India dating back to 5,000 BCE, as well as in Chinese writings dating back approximately 2,500 years.
Currently, there is no cure for the condition; but, we know that Parkinson’s Disease is always chronic and progressive, the symptoms worsen over time and the progression varies from one person to another. Parkinson’s is not a fatal disease and with care and attention, many people live with it for many years.
There are three types of Parkinson’s disease:
Parkinson’s disease is caused by the progressive impairment or deterioration of neurons (nerve cells) in the brain known as the substantia nigra. When functioning normally, these neurons produce a vital brain chemical known dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger which allows communication between the substantia nigra and another area of the brain called the corpus straiatum. This communication coordinates smooth and balanced muscle movement. The lack of dopamine results in abnormal nerve functioning, causing loss in the ability to control body movements.
There are three types of Parkinson’s disease:
Adult Onset: Which is 60 years but there are a growing number of persons in their 70’s and 80’s
Young Onset: This is between the ages of 21 and 40 years old. The incidence of this is very high in Japan, approximately 40 percent of cases diagnoses with Parkinson’s disease. This is uncommon in the United States, with an estimation of 5 to 10 percent. There are a few known cases in The Bahamas, but, here again; there is a tendency to hide the diagnosis and condition.
Juvenile Onset: Juvenile onset is under the age of 21. There are a few cases in this category and there is a growing concern regarding treatment.
Parkinson’s disease is complex and can significantly impact every aspect of an individual’s life. Based on the forgoing, the International Parkinson’s Foundation in the United States, Kingdor Parkinson’s parent organization has promoted a multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach to Parkinson’s care. This strategy takes into account the health of the whole person, including physical, emotional and spiritual health. Neurologists in The Bahamas are now entertaining this approach, especially since exercising is so necessary for our daily functioning. The Kingdor National Parkinson will be hosting its 16th Annual Walk/Run Competition on June 18th, 2016, in conjunction with Club One Fitness Centre, Bahamian
Springs Water, D’Albenas Agency Limited, Asa H. Pritchard Limited, Thompson Trading Limited and many other companies that have granted many gifts for the participants.
The Parkinson Foundation funds 44 Centers of Excellence (COE) worldwide, where research is tirelessly being conducted in an attempt to find the cause and cure for the condition. Likewise, there are 15 Affiliate Chapters, 12 min the United States, one in Canada, one in Puerto Rico and of course Kingdor Parkinson in The Bahamas. For further information regarding the Foundation or Parkinson’s disease, visit our website: www.Kingdornpf.org or visit us at the office in the RUAN House, West Avenue or telephone us at 326-5291.
Mavis Darling-Hill
Chairperson of The Kingdor National Parkinson’s Foundation
Bahamas
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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