By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
COLOUR, paint, pastels and friends are just some of the things that keep Ann Atkin’s laughing regardless of the hardships she faces with Parkinson’s disease.
An artist and pioneer of Painting with Parkinson’s disease, Ms Atkin will be walking or rolling her way to the finish line at this years ‘A Walk in the Park’ Parkinson’s Victoria fund-raiser.
“I’ve been involved in the walk every year since it started, I find it a bit difficult with osteo-arthritis in my feet but I’ll get the two kilometres done, I’ll pay someone to piggy back me if I have to, I’ll finish it no matter what even if I have to sit on my walker and get pushed,” Ms Atkin laughed.
The walk aims to raise $305,000 towards Parkinson’s research, something Ms Atkin believes is grossly under-funded by the Australian Government.
“On average 25 people a day are diagnosed with Parkinson’s in this state which gives us about 25,000 people suffering with it in Victoria and 80,000 in Australia – it’s considered to be an old person’s disease and we get very little money for research compared to a disease like multiple sclerosis,” she said.
So when Ms Atkin is not raising money for Parkinson’s disease research she is painting with her group of 12 Parkinson’s sufferers, eating too much morning tea and laughing about some of the things that could easily get one down.
“We do gentle exercises and dance movements while seated and then we paint,” she said.
Ms Atkin, from Hallam, said getting creative is very good for the brain and helps to keep what neurons she has left healthy.
“Parkinson’s makes you more aware of creativity and it doesn’t have to be painting it can be sewing or crocheting or anything that you make – colour is very helpful, the medication and the condition of Parkinson’s makes you more aware of colour and most of the art work is very bright and vivid,” she said.
Starting the creative class close to 10 years ago when Ms Atkin was diagnosed at age 55, the group has grown from just three people to 12 and Ms Atkin has helped start up groups in Essendon, Mount Martha and Warrnambool.
“Creativity, socialisation and exercise are three things that really help your medications work that little bit better and help you to cope better, it’s so nice to be around people who know how you feel and who don’t judge you when you spill things, drop things, trip over and forget things,” she said.
The Painting with Parkinson’s disease group will be at the Fountain Gate Bunning’s Warehouse selling paintings, cards and cupcakes to raise money for a cure on the first Saturday of every month.
To donate to the art club and Parkinson’s Victoria call Ann Atkin on 0409 188 317 or visit www.parkinsonsvic.org.au
