Parkinson's Awareness Week 2013

Hi all,
Parkinson's Awareness Week happens this year from 15-21 April.

This year the strapline is 'Put yourself in my shoes' to focus on the need to change public attitudes to Parkinson's.

There'll be lots of opportunities to get involved.
We'll be seeking to expose the realities of living with Parkinson's.

Can we make this year's Parkinson's Awareness Week the biggest ever?

Find out more and how you can help http://bit.ly/14zHtNj

Hi everyone,

The Northumberland/Tyne and Wear Active Persons' Group are planning a show stopper of an event at the beginning of Awareness Week. We don't want to give too much away, but if you're interested post on here and I'll put you in touch with the organisers.
JustStrummin,

We're excited to hear more. When you're ready to divulge the details do let us know about it here: http://bit.ly/VzrbCz

Ezinda
There’s just over two weeks to go until Parkinson’s Awareness Week and people across the country are gearing up to raise awareness and vital funds.

This year we’re hoping to change the public’s attitude towards the condition by asking them to walk in the shoes of people with Parkinson’s.

If you already have something planned, thank you and please remember to add it to our events map by filling out the form at http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/pawevents

If not, it’s not too late! Find out more about the week and how you can get involved here: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/myshoes

Please submit all your events and order all your materials by the end of this week to ensure inclusion on our events map and delivery of materials in time for Awareness Week.
I am giving a talk in my work place on living with Parkinson's exactly 1 year after diagnosis. My PD nurse will also be there to talk about patients with PD in hospital.
During the awareness week there will be a collection box in the coffee room, so hopefully raise a wee bit money and raise awareness at the same time.
the west cumbria support group are holding a coffee morning on wedensday the 17th of april it will start about 10am at crosthwaite hall in keswick, we are also doing a 2 day collection in dixons dunmail park workington on the 19th & 20th of april doing our bit for awareness week.
Thanks for sharing the details of your events - they sound really good! Please add them to our events map if you haven't done so already by filling out the form here: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/pawevents
Hi all,
I'm not sure if you're following on Twitter or Facebook but lots of people have already begun to share their shoes(and stories).

Here are a few to give you a flavour:

Susan - "These are my slippers that I wear in the house caring for my husband... worn with much love for a man who now needs 24 hour care. Sometimes these slippers see a glimpse of my old husband and they dance around the house." http://on.fb.me/10LyYe4

Alison - "I have called them my new 'Sinemet' shoes and I intend wearing them as often as I can." http://on.fb.me/10U2T5l

Kate - "I'm a speech and language therapist who works with people with Parkinson's. I visit many people at work so I often wear my trainers to help speed up my travel time! #inmyshoes" http://on.fb.me/153qLba

If you want to view or share shoes, visit us over on

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/parkinsonsuk or
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com #inmyshoes
excellent job getting onto the front page of the bbc news page.
less sure about the abbreviated url for awareness week. easy to remember tho.
Welcome to Parkinson’s Awareness Week!

This year we’re hoping to change the public’s attitude towards the condition by asking them to walk in the shoes of people with Parkinson’s. Everyone can take a small step to understand more about Parkinson’s by visiting our website http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/myshoes

In the lead up to Parkinson’s Awareness Week we asked all those affected by Parkinson's, including families, friends and carers to tell us how it is through our survey. The results paint a picture of what everyday life can be like when you have Parkinson's - take a look here http://bit.ly/152NbsN

Let us know what you’re up to this week by posting your photos, videos and comments on our Facebook or Twitter pages:

http://www.facebook.com/parkinsonsuk
http://www.twitter.com/parkinsonsuk - we’re using the hashtags #inmyshoes #ParkinsonsAwarenessWeek

And if you haven't yet seen all the amazing Awareness Week poems in our own Creative Corner take a look here: http://bit.ly/XMtUK9
Or better yet, why not add one of you own?

My contribution (apart from placing a collection tin at work) is possibly a bit left-field. I did the "In My Shoes" blog post thing (a bit verbose, but that's not unusual): http://bloggingwithparkinsons.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/in-my-shoes/ and was thinking, "I've got lots of shoes, I could do a week's worth..." when it occurred to me to paint (a picture of) some boots. So I did. That's here: http://bloggingwithparkinsons.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/cowboy-boots-in-my-shoes-2/

Then I decided that if the painting sold, the profits should go in the Parkinson's UK pot. I was just setting a price when I thought - no. Try auctioning it.

So I put it on eBay (the starting price is far lower than I would have asked normally): http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230964208523

Everything bar the postage and the action fees will go to Parkinson's UK.

And now I'm doing my best to let everyone know so that it sells, hopefully for lots of money (or at least what I'd normally ask. And I'm not saying how much, just in case it jinxes it).
Dammit! This is the revised listing, with the proper charity thingumajig:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230964278348
Hi Zalamanda,
This is a great idea. And a very interesting approach to the 'In my shoes' theme. Hope the auction goes well.

Thanks so much for your support.

Ezinda
And another one... http://bit.ly/WCFUKV will take you to an auction where I'm seling my son's wellies (not quite - a painting of them!) for Parkinson's UK. OK, so they aren't mine and they're not shoes... but the image fits the theme.
Oops, I did it again...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/230966320328?roken=BVGJGX

I think three will probably suffice...