Pune: KEM Hospital, Pune hosted a special event to mark World Parkinson’s Day. About 100 members of the patient support group created awareness through dance and singing performances. Patients expressed their feelings and narrated their life changing experiences after joining the support group.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group programme by BKP-PDMDS is carried out through multiple centers in India. . The programme is in the form of a multidisciplinary module which includes occupational and speech therapy, physiotherapy, laughter therapy, art therapy, music therapy and movement therapy along with Yoga, Meditation, consultation on diet, and lectures/awareness sessions by Doctors on other neurological disorders in old age. These activities are carried out by trained professionals from BKP –PDMDS.In Pune the program is carried out through the patient support groups at KEM Hospital and Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital
The programme is free of cost for individuals as well as their caregivers.
Dr. Rakesh Shah, Chief Operating Officer of KEM Hospital, Janine Garda, Coordinator and Neuropsychologist of the Department of Neurosciences of KEM Hospital, Dr. Nikita Chhajed, Physiotherapist and Coordinator of KEM and DMH Support Group, and Volunteer Sampada Padhye were present on the ocassion. Bharati Parekh, wife and Bijal Thakkar, daughter of BK Parekh also graced the ocassion to encourage the participants.
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and other parts of the body controlled by it. Symptoms increase with age, which mainly include tremors in the body, slowness of movement, loss of physical balance, poor posture inability to maintain balance while walking, muscle stiffness, changes in speech, etc. The impact on movement and other symptoms affect the patient’s confidence and can have a mental and emotional impact. In such a situation, along with regular medication, a support group is needed! These support group programs are not only for patients but also for their caregivers.
Neurologist Dr. Dhairyashil Saste said that Parkinson’s slows down our daily activities and sometimes this causes anxiety in our mind. But we should continue our daily activities and activities without fear.
Applauding the efforts of the patients and the support group, Dr. Rakesh Shah, Chief Operating Officer, KEM Hospital, said that this patient support group has been an inspiration and guiding force for the patients. The annual program in its third year and organized on the occasion of Parkinson’s Day reflects the positive energy of the patients which is inspiring for everybody.
The program was moderated by Vasumita Desai and Sampada Padhye, while the vote of thanks was given by Dr. Nikita Chhajed.
