Geelong will once again show its support for people living with Parkinson’s disease with the community coming together to raise awareness.
Fight Parkinson’s A Walk in the Park event will return to Geelong’s Eastern Park Circuit on Sunday, May 4, which was dedicated to improving the lives of people living with the chronic neurological condition.
Fight Parkinson’s chief executive Emma Collin said the event was more than just a walk; it was a community-driven movement helping raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease.
“Together we can make sure Parkinson’s is better understood and resourced to ensure everyone gets the support they deserve,” she said.
“When the community is united, they can empower each other to make a difference. A Walk in the Park provides the perfect opportunity for people to walk together and fight together.”
Geelong’s Sean Atkinson, 38, said he would be taking part in the event for his second time alongside his two young kids, following his own journey being diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
“About two and a half years ago, I noticed a tremor in my right hand… It was a bit of a shock to be diagnosed considering I was 36 years old with no family history,” he said.
“There’s a stigma around Parkinson’s disease and people not wanting to share their journeys, where they’re at, or whether they’ve got the disease, but I think the community is so strong.
“I’ve got two young kids, and my biggest concern when I got diagnosed was whether it was hereditary and they would be impacted by it… but my type of Parkinson’s isn’t genetic, which is a great result.”
Jena Carr
