In observance of World Parkinson’s Day, a Parkinson’s Awareness Walkathon took place in Mohali today. The walkathon, organized by Dr. Jaslovleen Kaur Sidhu, a renowned neurologist and Punjab’s first Parkinson’s disease & Movement Disorder Specialist, commenced at 6 am from Silvi Park in Mohali, covering a total distance of 5 kilometers. April is recognized globally as Parkinson’s awareness month.
Dr. Jaslovleen Kaur Sidhu explained that Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by the loss of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a vital chemical. The hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include slowness of activities, stiffness in the body, hand or leg tremors, and difficulty with balance while walking. Other symptoms may include small handwriting, loss of smell, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and constipation.
Emphasizing the need for awareness, Dr. Jaslovleen highlighted that Parkinson’s disease is often misdiagnosed as a part of the aging process, resulting in missed or delayed treatment. By raising awareness, early detection and appropriate treatment can be offered, leading to a better quality of life for those affected.
The event saw participation from family members and caregivers of Parkinson’s disease patients, as well as notable individuals such as Deep Shergill, a sports activist, Mr. Amar Chauhan, a recipient of multiple gold medals in India and abroad, and Mr. Parminder Singh Jaiswal, AAP Student Wing President, who offered encouragement to the organizers. Wheelchair runners from the Serve Humanity Serve God organization also participated in the event.
The walkathon concluded successfully at 9 am, leaving a profound impact on all attendees. Dr. Jaslovleen Sidhu pledged to make this an annual event to further raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and offer advanced treatment options available for patients in Mohali and beyond. As the event came to a close, it left a lasting impression and a renewed commitment to Parkinson’s disease awareness in the community.
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