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More help for Parkinson's sufferers

By Jess Childs
1:28pm Wednesday 16th January 2008
http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/la..._sufferers.php

A DISABLED children's charity started by a Herefordshire couple in 2001 is to help adults too.

Megan Baker House, near Leominster, is launching weekly sessions to help adults with the early stages of Parkinson's disease improve mobility.

Parkinson's sufferer Helen Pryce, aged 38, from Moreton Eye, is helping introduce the free service.

"The launch of this group is a very exciting move for the charity as well as giving useful support to those with early onset Parkinson's," she said.

"Younger people who have Parkinson's often feel alienated as this can be classed as an older' person's illness."

The charity has helped disabled children develop physical and language skills since it was founded by Jo and Dave Baker Watson in memory of their late daughter Megan, who suffered from cerebal palsy.

Staff are anticipating a high demand for the new service and are also planning week long intensive courses using conductive education techniques to help some of Herefordshire's 450 sufferers manage the disease.

Hereford Primary Care Trust's Parkinson's specialist Caroline Evans, who helped establish the scheme, said: "Conductive education has had proven success with Parkinson's elsewhere, meaning this new Megan Baker House group is one more effective option available in terms of further assistance and practical support."

For more information call 01568 616179 or visit www.meganbakerhouse.org.uk