World Parkinson's Disease Day is celebrated on April 11 in commemoration of Dr. James Parkinson's birthday (1755 - 1824) who established the disease as a clinical entity in a paper entitled An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common progressive disabling neurological disorders and can dramatically affect the ability to walk, talk, write and swallow. Tpical symptoms include tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness, rigidity and problems with balance and gait. These symptoms usually increase in severity during the course of the disease.
It is estimated that approximately 6.3 million people have PD worldwide, with 1 in 10 being diagnosed before the age of 50* years. The prevalence of PD increases with age and is slightly more common in men than in women.
It is thought that PD is a consequence of impaired dopaminergic activity in the part of the brain that controls movement. However, the exact cause of the disease is not fully understood and no cure is yet available. Current therapies enable people with Parkinson's to better manage their daily activities by treating the symptoms of the disease.
The tulip has been adopted as a symbol by many Parkinson's disease organisations around the world. Similarly, the European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA) chose the tulip as their logo. The general concensus, supported by the Working Group on Parkinson's Disease (formed by the World Health Organisation in 1997), is that the EPDA logo be used as the Worldwide Symbol of Parkinson's Disease.
By wearing the Red TULIP you are raising awareness and showing your support for people living with Parkinson's and their families around the globe.
