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Generosity from You Extends Generously During Christmas Season

In 2018, Helen Tolhurst, a respected GP, made a heart-wrenching decision to leave her fulfilled profession to care for her ailing partner, diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. A year later, she received another devastating blow when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This unexpected...

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In 2018, GP Helen Tolhurst left her cherished profession to tend to her cancer-stricken partner. A...
In 2018, GP Helen Tolhurst left her cherished profession to tend to her cancer-stricken partner. A surprise diagnosis of Parkinson's disease followed a year later, shattering her. Her initial reaction was one of despair, visualizing a future in a wheelchair. However, with time, she accepted her condition and persevered.

Generosity from You Extends Generously During Christmas Season

In 2018, Dr. Helen Tolhurst, a former General Practitioner, began caring for her partner diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. Devastatingly, she received her Parkinson's disease diagnosis a year later, a revelation that left her despairing, "All I could see was the wheelchair."

Eventually, Tolhurst came terms with the diagnosis and adopted a positive outlook, thinking, "I have time until I'm disabled. Until then, I'll treat each day as a gift."

Finding solace, Tolhurst joined a Parkinson's Support Group at a neurologist's recommendation, rekindling a sense of hope.

Navigating the initial hours and weeks post-diagnosis can be daunting and isolating for those with Parkinson's disease. Fortunately, a call to the Parkinson's NSW HealthLine can bridge this gap, providing connections to essential local health support services and resources, including support groups.

Support groups are informal meetings where individuals facing similar challenges share experiences and support one another. More than 70 such groups are spread across metropolitan and regional areas of New South Wales (NSW).

These gatherings offer opportunities to engage with healthcare professionals, exchange advice and strategies, and benefit from peer and social support, helping alleviate feelings of isolation related to the disease.

Groups like Tolhurst's do not operate independently. They require administrative assistance to initiate and maintain sustainability so that no one is left out. That's where Parkinson's NSW steps in, playing a crucial role in establishing and growing these vital community connections.

In sum, Parkinson's support groups in New South Wales offer significant advantages for patients and carers alike. Emotional and social support, practical and educational benefits, empowerment, and improved quality of life are just some of the gains to be had from joining these networks. By supporting Parkinson's NSW this Christmas, you can help expand the reach of these groups and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by Parkinson's disease.

References:[1] Parkinson's NSW: Why join a Parkinson's support group? Retrieved from https://www.parkinsons-nsw.org.au/web/content/why-join-a-parkinsons-support-group[2] Parkinson's NSW: Living well with Parkinson's: A guide for carers and people with Parkinson's and their families. Retrieved from https://www.parkinsons-nsw.org.au/web/sites/default/files/2020-03/Living-well-with-Parkinsons-A-Guide-for- carers-and-people-with-Parkinsons-pdf-2020.pdf[3] University of California, San Diego Health: Parkinson's support groups offer hope and help. Retrieved from https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/neurosciences/specialty-clinics/Parkinsons-Institute/Pages/patient-support-group.aspx[4] Shake It Up Australia Research Foundation: Parkinson's support groups. Retrieved from https://shakeitup.org.au/get-involved/support-groups/[5] Parkinson's Australia: Better living with Parkinson's – Information and resources. Retrieved from https://www.parkinsonsaustralia.org.au/living-well/resources/better-living-with-parkinsons-information-and-resources/

  1. Joining a support group, such as those offered by Parkinson's NSW, can provide mental-health support and foster peer relationships for individuals living with Parkinson's disease.
  2. In addition to emotional and social benefits, these support groups offer access to career-relevant resources in health-and-wellness and therapies-and-treatments, empowering patients to live a better quality of life.
  3. To ensure the continued sustainability of these essential support networks, it's crucial to support organizations like Parkinson's NSW, as they play a vital role in expanding the reach of these groups and providing supportive services to patients and their families.

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