Mansfield’s MP Ben Bradley has pledged to help improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s on World Parkinson’s Day which takes place on Wednesday 11th April.
Ben’s office has signed up to take part in the Parkinson’s in the Workplace training from Parkinson’s UK. The training aims to raise awareness of the challenges that people with Parkinson’s face on a daily basis.
Parkinson’s affects 145,000 people in the UK, which equates to one in 350 people in Mansfield. With the numbers of people affected expected to increase by a fifth by 2025, the charity is aiming to change attitudes about Parkinson’s to make life better for everyone living with the condition.
The push for greater awareness is part of the charity’s activity to encourage people to Unite for Parkinson’s on World Parkinson’s Day, as a survey found that 32 per cent of people with Parkinson’s have been stared at in public and 11 per cent have been laughed at. In addition, 32 per cent of people do not feel that their symptoms are socially acceptable.
Through the training, Ben’s office will learn more about the progressive neurological condition, the complex symptoms people face, as well as how to recognise and best support constituents with Parkinson’s.
Commenting, Ben Bradley MP said: “It is shocking that people with Parkinson’s face so many barriers, including being mistaken for being drunk, when out in public. That’s why it is so important to raise awareness. I want to take the training along with my staff so that we are all better equipped to improve the lives of everyone affected by the condition in Mansfield and better understand the issues faced by those who come to my advice surgery with the condition.”
Commenting, Steve Ford, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK said: “Lack of public understanding can make simple things like getting the bus, going to work, or even heading out to the pub with friends daunting for people with Parkinson’s. That’s why one small action like signing up to learn more about the condition can have a big impact on people with Parkinson’s.”