Location
Solheim 106
Start Date
8-6-2024 10:15 AM
End Date
8-6-2024 11:00 AM
Description
Awareness about situations or conditions has brought many changes to public policy, treatment methods, and community engagement, to name just a few. Awareness also creates a culture of “seeing” people who may feel unseen or dismissed. One particular group that may feel this way are people with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily resulting from a decrease in dopamine levels. This decrease in dopamine can lead to deficiencies in motor control and cognitive function that can include slow and uncoordinated movement, loss of balance, loss of smell, and decreased cognitive function1. The implementation of a community awareness event can serve to educate and inform community influencers about this population. In 2022 the first “Walk a Mile in my (Parkinson’s) Shoes” event was established. The goal of the event was and is to create awareness, understanding and empathy for those who have PD. Influential individuals within the surrounding community are invited to spend the morning experiencing what it means to Walk a mile in my (Parkinson’s) shoes. This experience involves being given the opportunity to learn about PD and participate in a variety of activities that simulate living with PD. The purpose of this presentation will be to elaborate on how and why this event was established, discuss some of the outcomes from the 2023 event, and hopefully inspire the audience to unveil the groups in our community that need to be seen.
Recommended Citation
Spindler, Lindsay; Wilson, Lorraine; Jumper, Jill; Walls, Donna; Bane, Annie; Wyatt, Priscilla; and St-John, Julie, "Unveiling Parkinson’s: Empowering Our Community Through Awareness" (2024). CSKLS Annual Conference. 10.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/cskls-conference/2024/Wednesday/10
Included in
Unveiling Parkinson’s: Empowering Our Community Through Awareness
Solheim 106
Awareness about situations or conditions has brought many changes to public policy, treatment methods, and community engagement, to name just a few. Awareness also creates a culture of “seeing” people who may feel unseen or dismissed. One particular group that may feel this way are people with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily resulting from a decrease in dopamine levels. This decrease in dopamine can lead to deficiencies in motor control and cognitive function that can include slow and uncoordinated movement, loss of balance, loss of smell, and decreased cognitive function1. The implementation of a community awareness event can serve to educate and inform community influencers about this population. In 2022 the first “Walk a Mile in my (Parkinson’s) Shoes” event was established. The goal of the event was and is to create awareness, understanding and empathy for those who have PD. Influential individuals within the surrounding community are invited to spend the morning experiencing what it means to Walk a mile in my (Parkinson’s) shoes. This experience involves being given the opportunity to learn about PD and participate in a variety of activities that simulate living with PD. The purpose of this presentation will be to elaborate on how and why this event was established, discuss some of the outcomes from the 2023 event, and hopefully inspire the audience to unveil the groups in our community that need to be seen.
Christian Perspective of Presentation
1. Providing information on how to serve the least of these (Matthew 25:40)
2. Illustrating an avenue to help people connect with community and share life (Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 27:17)