Hospital da Luz Coimbra has offered once again a special day for those who live and deal with Parkison disease. On April 10, and as a way to mark the World Parkison’s Day (celebrated on April 11), patients, families and friends had the opportunity to participate in different activities , from lectures to games, physiotherapy exercises, and musical and cultural moments, that turned the hospital into a joyful convivial space and raised awareness to a disease affecting increasingly more people. “We wanted to offer a space of knowledge and experience sharing, in a welcoming atmosphere gathering patients, families, friends and health professionals dedicated to this disease, where everyone would feel free to listen, talk, share and clear doubts”, explains neurologist Ana Morgadinho Carvalho , coordinator of the Neurology team, who has been the major promotor of this initiative. The initiative, held for the third consecutive year, was open both to patients followed at Hospital da Luz and in other institutions. The goal was to inform and enable people with Parkinson and those around them to clear doubts, seek help and learn how to manage and minimize the effects of the disease on their lives. After a lecture by Ana Morgadinho Carvalho, the participants enjoyed a musical moment by Salatina Cultural and Artistic Association and were surprised with a laughter yoga session animated by Coimbra Laugther Club. Outside the Hospital building, they have learned with the physiotherapy team a few specific exercises that they could replicate at home and are beneficial to maintain mobility in the disease. Finally, the participants were invited to leave their “mark” by painting a mural. The event also featured two researchers from the Coimbra School of Education, who presented the MOVEA4PD research project, whose main goal is to improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients through motor, emotional, and social development. Hospital da Luz Coimbra thanks the participation of everyone, including the health professional teams that helped organizing this initiative of support for the community.
