pediatric housecalls Robert R. Jarrett M.D. M.B.A. FAAP

Parkinson’s Disease Month

April 17, 2019

Although April 11th is World Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Day, the entire month of April is Parkinson’s Disease Month with activities highlighting the progress against this debilitating disease robbing, at the very least, every one-hundredth child of their parent or grandparent.

World Parkinson’s Disease Month
April 2019

Parkinson’s Disease is a shamefully UNDER-funded disease as far as research goes. One in a hundred people around the world over 60 have Parkinson’s disease; that was 9 million people in 2015—the last time they did a world census. How many of each one of those does it leave without a mom, dad, grandpa or grandma?

In 2015 one in eight people were over 60, by 2030 one in six will be. By 2030 there will be more people over 60 in the world than there will be children 0-9. In addition, for some as yet unknown reason the rate of Parkinson’s disease is increasing every year. This problem will only get worse, we’ve got to make some progress on this thing now.

Get Involved/Learn More:

Most of the press about Parkinson’s Disease has involved Team Fox (Michael J). The Michael J. Fox Foundation seems to have an urgency about them that I don’t see as much in the many other organizations fighting this burgeoning disease.

Don’t get me wrong, some great research is being done on many fronts; but, if I may make an analogy, it’s sort of what Steve Irwin did for conservancy and Elon Musk is doing for space exploration.

We’re dealing with the “children of Sesame Street parents” these days and it’s flash and show that attracts their attention. Elon said: “sending a concrete brick into space captures nobodies interest” so he sent his DeLorean being driven by an anthropomorphic test article in a space suit! I think it makes sense to do something like that for Parkinson’s Disease.

Team “Michael J” has been sending Parkinson’s Disease Leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) protein samples to the International Space Station to grow crystals on many of the cargo launches this year.

Thing is, nobody’s invented a microscope small enough to examine the tiny protein in the brain which is causing all the trouble in PD. We don’t need to give up, however… we’ve got the U.S. National Laboratory on the Space Station!

Crystals grow bigger in space without gravity; SO, Team Fox is sending the crystals to space to have the astronauts grow them super sized (well at least larger than life). Hopefully then they won’t be too small for the earth’s electron microscopes and we can get a photograph of them to analyze. They won’t be able to hide their size, shape and morphology much longer.

I need to say: research in this area and the closeness of a cure is exasperatingly close and the team really needs your help. PLEASE donate all you can to Team Fox or puruse their website to volunteer your time in your states organization.

For Children

There are a number of books for children which can help both them and their parents understand and cope with a parent or grandparent who has Parkinson’s Disease.

I’ll list four which, to the best of my knowledge, are written in a sensitive and accurate manner, understandable to children. [click on the graphic to learn more about each]

Parkinson’s Tulips

In 1980, J.W.S. Van der Wereld, a Dutch horticulturalist with Parkinson’s disease (PD), developed a red and white tulip to honor Dr. James Parkinson. At the 9th World Parkinson’s Disease Day Conference in Luxembourg on April 11, 2005, the new red and white tulip was launched as the official symbol of PD.

The tulip is described in detail as “the exterior being a glowing cardinal red, small feathered white edge, the outer base whitish; the inside, a currant-red to turkey-red, broad feathered white edge, anthers pale yellow”.

Not only did the tulip receive the Award of Merit that year from the Royal Horticultural Society in England, but it also was the recipient of the Trial Garden Award from the Royal General Bulb Growers of Holland.

The bulbs for the tulips are becoming more widely available and make a stunning planting or garden. Easily a conversation starter to do your part in spreading the word about how near a cure or treatment is to discovery. Order Dr, James Parkinson tulips here or print an brochure.