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The event of ‘World Parkinson’s Day’ was held in Kesari wada, Pune, on 11th April 2009. Members of the very active self help group – Parkinson’s Mitramandal had arranged this program. James Parkinson (1755–1824) is considered the father of modern paleontology and a pioneer in geology, pediatrics, child welfare, and physical chemistry. He has discovered this disease in 1817. He has described about this disease as ‘Shaking Palsy’. 11th April is the date of birth of James Parkinson’s and that’s why it is considered as the ‘World Parkinson’s Day’.

So many people with Parkinson’s were sitting in the crowded hall with their spouses or care givers. The program started with the encouraging song of Setu, an association of Self Help Groups in Pune.


Three members of Parkinson’s Mitramandal shared their experiences with the Parkinson’s disease and how they got the help from SHG (Self Help Group). Mr Gopal Tirthali said that he was very much depressed when he got to know that he has Parkinson’s; but the self help group became a miracle for his life! SHG helped him to come out of the mental stress. And he also got to know that he is not alone, when he met so many people with Parkinson’s in the SHG.

Ms Naina More said that her husband has Parkinson’s disease. Before the Parkinson’s he was very jolly. He always used to meet people and use to enjoy the life with friends and family. But when his disease was detected he and his family were in the sorrow. When they came in the SHG they saw so many people who have Parkinson’s and much more problems than him. So the family started participating actively in the SHG. And the SHG showed them the new vision for the life.

Ms Pradnya Joshi said that she is also living with Parkinson’s disease. First she was shocked when she got to know that she has the Parkinson’s. Because her brother also had the same disease, which was the worst part in his life and he passed away after few years. But as Mr Tirthali and Ms Naina have said, Pradnya also said that she came out of the depression with the help of Self Help Group.

Dr Pradeep Diwate, the well–known neurologist from Pune spoke on the subject – ‘Non–motor manifestation of Parkinson’s’. He said that the Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not as simple as people think. There are so many complications of the body of the PD patients. Non–motor manifestations of PD play a significant role in the impairment of disease–related quality of life. The cause of non–motor manifestations of PD is multifactor, but to a large extent, these manifestations are related to the nature of the neurodegenerative process and the widespread non–dopaminergic neuropathological changes associated with the disease. Recognition of non–motor disability is essential not only for ascertaining the functional status of patients but also for better appreciating the nature of the neurodegenerative process in PD. This disease starts with the pain in the body, the restlessness, urinary problem etc. But so many times the general physician doesn’t understand that it is PD. They start the treatment in the wrong direction and the patient suffers. So the immediate diagnosis is very important in PD. Dr Diwate also said that the PD patients are likely to go in anxiety depression because of this disease and the social stigma as well.

The well–known psychiatrist Dr Ulhas Luktuke spoke about the Parkinson’s disease from the different view. He said that the recovery of the patient depends how he and his family looks at it. So the acceptance is the first and very important step of PD patients. Dr Luktuke also emphasized on the family relation of the person with PD. Because the moral support from family is very important for the recovery.

The well–known Marathi actress Ms. Lalan Sarang wished very best for the Support Group. She shared her experiences when her husband had suffered with the Parkinson’s disease.

The program ended with the famous prayer – Pasaydan.