World Parkinson’s Day: A Time to Reflect, Support, and Act with Compassion

Today, on World Parkinson’s Day, we pause not only to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease but also to share stories, offer support, and advocate for those impacted by this life-changing condition.

For our Director, Jess, Parkinson’s is more than a diagnosis she’s learned about professionally—it’s deeply personal. Jess's nan, a strong and fiercely independent woman, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Watching someone who once tackled every day with energy and purpose begin to struggle with basic tasks was heartbreaking. The tremors, the stiffness, the fatigue—these were difficult enough. But what was even harder was witnessing how her mental health began to suffer as her sense of self and autonomy slowly faded.

“It was incredibly hard seeing the strong, independent lady I looked up to begin to need help with things she used to do without a second thought,” Jess says. “As a family, we had to learn how to adapt and support in every way we could.”

Parkinson’s doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed. It ripples through families, friendships, and communities. It forces change—practical, emotional, and psychological. Jess's family discovered that love and support can soften the blow, but it doesn’t erase the challenges.

A Holistic, Person-Centred Approach

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can bring about a wide range of symptoms—tremors, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement, sleep issues, depression, and anxiety, to name a few. Because of this complexity, care must go beyond medication and physical support.

Holistic support—care that considers the full person, not just the symptoms—is vital. This includes:

Mental health support to help individuals manage anxiety, depression, and identity shifts
Emotional support for families and caregivers who are navigating new responsibilities
Creative therapies, such as music, art, or movement-based programs
Social connection, to counter isolation and build a sense of community
Practical tools that help individuals maintain dignity and independence

At the heart of this approach is Person-Centred Theory, developed by psychologist Carl Rogers. This theory emphasizes that every individual has the internal resources for growth and healing—and that support should be rooted in empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard.

For people with Parkinson’s, this means recognising them not by their illness, but by their whole self: their history, values, strengths, and emotional world. It’s about creating a safe and supportive environment where their voice is heard, their choices matter, and their personhood is never overshadowed by the disease.

Even small acts—offering choices in daily routines, listening with patience, respecting autonomy—can foster a deep sense of value and belonging. These moments, grounded in empathy and presence, can be profoundly healing.

The Body Knows

A powerful book that speaks to the mind-body connection in chronic illness is The Body Says No by Dr. Gabor Maté. He explores how repressed emotions, chronic stress, and unresolved trauma can contribute to the development of disease. While Parkinson’s is rooted in neurobiology, Maté’s work invites us to look at the whole picture—how emotional health and physical wellbeing are deeply interconnected.

He writes: “Emotional competence requires the capacity to feel our emotions, so that we are aware when we are experiencing stress; the ability to express our emotions effectively and thereby to assert our needs and to maintain the integrity of our emotional boundaries.”

Jess’s nan, like many living with chronic illness, faced not just the loss of physical ability, but also the emotional weight of that change. By approaching her care with understanding and respect, Jess’s family helped her feel seen and supported, not just managed.

Moving Forward With Compassion

On World Parkinson’s Day, we remember those living with this condition and the people who walk beside them. We advocate for more research, better treatments, and compassionate care that addresses the whole person. But we also honour the quiet resilience of families, the dignity of those affected, and the importance of simply being there—consistently, gently, and with open hearts.

Let’s continue to learn, support, and act—with kindness and person-centred care as our guide.