April Is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Here’s How You Can Help

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Did you know that Abilene has a growing Parkinson's support community and that they are very active? Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system and depletes dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.

While Parkinson's is known as a disease of the elderly it does affect young people as well. Parkinson's is a disease known for causing tremors, shaking, rigidity, bradykinesia, and posture instability.

Some of the other symptoms include anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, and more. There is no cure for Parkinson's currently however, there are treatments available that can help reduce and manage the symptoms to improve quality of life.

Now, if that all sounds like something you don't look forward to, then maybe it's time we all get involved with the Davis Phinney Foundation and the Abilene Healthy Parkinson's Communities.

Speaking of quality of life, the Foundation and the Abilene Healthy Parkinson's Communities are hosting a pickleball tournament on Saturday, April 29th from 10 AM until 5 PM on the Abilene Christian University campus at the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Everyone is invited to participate as the tournament is open to all skill levels ages 18 and up. Simple tournament registration is on a pay-what-you-can basis with a suggested donation of $20 for students and $40 for adults. The resources fair silent auction and tournament attendance are free and open to the public.

To sign up go to the Davis Phinney Foundation website dpf.org,  or call( 866) 358- 0285. the Davis Finney Foundation for Parkinson's and the Abilene Healthy Parkinson's Communities action committee are nonprofit organizations.