People with Parkinson’s disease, caregivers, professors, health professionals and delegates from all over the world gathered for the two-day Perak Parkinson International Symposium at the Kinta Riverfront Hotel from October 21 to 22.
Samuel Ng, founder and president of Perak Parkinson’s Association (PPA) in his welcoming speech said, “We’re proud to invite you to yet another major event of patient advocacy which I am confident will achieve PPA’s 5As of advocacy namely, awareness and education, advanced medical information and treatment, active networking, affiliation with the government and aid.”
“We’re grateful to notable speakers such as Professor Dr Peter Lewitt (Michigan) and Professor Dr Joseph Friedman (New York) and to the International Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Society for providing us their ambassadors,” he added.
Present was Elizabeth Pollard, executive director of World Parkinson Coalition. Tony Khoo, chairman of Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) Perak, who represented Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon, the Executive Councillor for Health, Public Transport, Non-Islamic Affairs, National Integration and New Villages.
Teoh Poh Yew who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009 shared, “Initially I shied away from the Parkinson’s association because I didn’t want to see how the end stage of my life could be. After much encouragement from Samuel, I joined one of the events and saw an 80-year-old lady, a victim for 20 years, could run excitedly to the podium to receive her prize. There should be no problem for me then!”
Founded in 2012, Perak Parkinson’s Association Ipoh is a non-profit and non-governmental support group with a mission to enhance the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s as well as their families and caregivers. For sufferers who hide at home in denial, PPA helps to bring them back into the community. At the centre, there are volunteers, occupational therapists and physiotherapist whose task is to help conduct effective exercise routines.
The association is located at 128, Jalan Hala Wah Keong, Taman Mirindy, 31400 Ipoh. It is open Mondays to Fridays between 9am and 1pm. Readers can also call the centre at: 05 545 5610 or visit its website www.perakparkinson.org.myfor details.
Mei Kuan
