Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is considered to be one of the most destructive conditions of our modern times. Even though the medical community today has many intervention and prevention tools at their disposal, PD continues to claim many lives annually. The insidious nature of the disease, coupled with elusive symptomology, makes this one of the more frequently misdiagnosed illnesses. What is more, after Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s is considered to be the “…second most common neurodegenerative disorder and its incidence and prevalence increase with age (Sprenger & Poewe, 2013, p. 259). Visser et al. (2009) report that about 2% of individuals ages sixty-five and over are affected by PD (p. 392).  No known cure has been found to-date, and it is imperative for healthcare providers to understand the etiology and progression of the illness in order to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies. At the same time, there is significant need for advocacy for improved assessment, identification of the disease, and intervention methods. More efforts need to be invested into research strategies to determine the best approaches to PD management.
In light of the need for stronger advocacy initiatives, a 24th Annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk was organized to take place in New York City, on April 28, 2018.  The Parkinson’s Unity Walk was organized at Manhattan’s Central West Park, and the starting point was at 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue.  The start-time was at 8:30 am. The walk spanned over 1.4 miles in Central Park. Impressively, $1,411,338 have been raised, which comprised 83% of the total goal. Registration tents were available for those who did not get a chance to register beforehand. Many families who supported their loved ones with Parkinson’s were at the Unity Walk, holding signs and banners. Besides raising funds for ongoing Parkinson’s research, the Unity Walk also provides opportunities for community mobilization, education, and resources. This is an event that offers hope to those individuals and families who are currently struggling with Parkinson’s or have family members who they lost to this insidious disease.  One of the major objectives of this event, according to Joyce Oberdorf, President and CEO of the National Parkinson’s Association, is to create awareness not only in New York City, but country-wide.  What is more, the Parkinson’s Unity Walk also aims to provide the much-needed support to families and individuals struggling with this debilitating illness.
It was very moving and it was very inspirational to watch thousands of people marching for one unified purpose. Neither the weather nor any individual physical limitations was going to stop participants from attending.  People moved across Central Park in wheelchairs, on foot, individually, in groups, and all maintained an environment of solidarity, unity, and support. I also walked across Central Park with other attendees. Speaking with one family, I discovered that they participate in the Unity Walk for the past 3 years, even since their father was diagnosed three-and-a-half years ago.
This is an excellent nursing advocacy activity because it allows a registered nurse (RN) to participate in an effort that has mobilized a large community of individuals and families, affected by a chronic, debilitating condition, and learn about different attitudes, perceptions, and plans that people have for management of PD. Doherty (2018) explains that nurses advocate for each individual under their care, ensure that holistic approaches are used in the plan for care, which incorporate individual values and beliefs. “Even further, we have a duty to protect our patients,” states Doherty, who is an Adult Health Nurse Specialist (2018, p. 1). The Parkinson’s Unity Walk, was an opportunity to exhibit support for individuals and families who are affected by Parkinson’s disease. It was also an opportunity to interact with other healthcare professionals, listen to the most recent evidence-based findings in treatments, and simply spend a day with a community that has been fighting to eradicate this illness from our society and finally find a cure.
References
Doherty, G. (2018). President’s message. Advocacy: Inherent in nursing. New Mexico Nurse, 63(2), 1-3.
Sprenger, F., & Poewe, W. (2013). Management of motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. CNS Drugs, 27(4), 259-272 14p. doi:10.1007/s40263-013-0053-2
Voelker, R. (2006). Parkinson disease guidelines aid diagnosis, management. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295(18), 2126-2128 3p.
