MORE than half of people with Parkinson's in Yorkshire and Humber have experienced hostility and rudeness from other people, according to a survey released today.

Parkinson's UK has released the findings to mark the beginning of Parkinson's Awareness Week and its findings are a sad reflection of life for someone with the condition, according to John Sheffield, of Bingley, who was diagnosed with it six years ago.

Of people surveyed in Yorkshire and Humber, 59 per cent reported they had experienced rudeness, discrimination or negative reactions.

The new figures also show that 39 per cent of people with Parkinson's have been stared at, 29 per cent have had their symptoms mistaken for drunkenness and 18 per cent have been laughed at.

Now the charity is encouraging people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and be more tolerant of those with the condition during Parkinson’s Awareness Week, which runs from today until Sunday.

The campaign urges people to ‘up your friendly’, pledging to do small acts of kindness that can make an enormous difference to the lives of people with Parkinson’s.

The charity's chief executive Steve Ford said: "We certainly don’t expect people to be experts in knowing whether or not the person taking a little longer at the till, or looking unsteady on their feet is living with Parkinson’s.

"But by signing up to our new campaign with a small pledge – to smile or be that bit more patient – you can have a real impact on the lives of people with Parkinson’s."

Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological condition, and there are thought to be 11,000 people affected by it in the region. Half experience depression and 64 per cent suffering anxiety as a result of their conditions.

Some of the more extreme conditions include slurred speech or a lack of control of limbs.

Professor David Burn, Parkinson's UK clinical director and consultant neurologist, said: "It is devastating to see the added burden thoughtless reactions from the public are having on people with Parkinsons.

"Patients I see in the clinic are already battling a myriad of neurological symptoms including anxiety, depression and insomnia.

"The last thing they need is to feel like a zoo exhibit when they step out of the front door."

"It’s a situation where simple kindness and old-fashioned manners can actually have a life-changing impact on people with Parkinson’s. Understanding, patience and empathy can make the difference to someone with Parkinson’s as to whether they feel imprisoned in their own home, or confident to go out in public."

Visit upyourfriendly.com to find out more information and how to get involved in Parkinson’s Awareness Week for Parkinson’s UK.

  • JOHN Sheffield was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six years ago. The 57-year-old said while he had fortunately not experienced the more extreme reactions highlighted in today’s research by Parkinson’s UK, there was a general ignorance of the condition. Mr Sheffield, an electrical design engineer who lives in Tulyar Court, Gilstead, Bingley, draws sketches for charity calendars which this year raised more than £5,000 for local Parkinson’s support groups. 

He said: “Sometimes I will just freeze, I don’t know why, and when I’m on a train or somewhere like that

I’ll often get people jostling behind me or asking what’s wrong with me. It takes a while for me to get started again.

“It isn’t obvious when someone has Parkinson’s and we can’t walk around with a label on to let people know. People don’t always have tolerance. You feel like you should apologise for your condition, but you shouldn’t have to.

“ Parkinson’s is not just an old person’s condition, and some younger people have been accused of being drunk. It can be frustrating because most people don’t know what sufferers are going through. 
“The more people know about the condition, the better their treatment of people with it will be.”