Parkinson walk to help 60 parkinson patients

During this reporting period, the total number of 30 Parkinson's patients was reached on the holiday Christmas Eve. Time like holiday brings additional stress besides the day-to-day challenges PD patients experience. This is because; their families are expecting to have a good time and happiness just like others. So, to have spent the holiday as they wish, they encore additional expenses. That is why Parkinson patients support organization Ethiopia is identifying and selecting those PD patients who have comparatively underprivileged and low-income families to get access to 500 ETB/individual patients. So that, they are able for a family gathering during the holiday and maintain their families and themselves from psychological challenges.

The other achievement during this reporting time was that PPSO-E was made a total number publication of 500 brochures in local language (in Amharic) and already start to disseminate to its targets during various events like patient-caregiver forum and PD management training organized by the PPSO-E by another initiative. The ultimate objectives of this publication material are to create awareness for PD caregivers, PPSO-E potential partners, and the public at large about the vulnerability of Parkinson patients to Covid-19.

1. Project Summary

Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease that has no cure as per the technological advancement level so far. It affects the mobility of patients as the disease advances. The situation is worse in a nation like Ethiopia where there is no organization working on awareness, support, research, and development on Parkinson's (PD). So our organization made effort on organizing world Parkinson day and create a mass community awareness rising campaign and further creating various networking and partnership with all potentials. Through conducting Parkinson walk with the involvement of various influential individuals, artists, youth’s community and volunteers, GO’s and Ngo’s sectors, neurologist and general doctors working closer with PPSO-E and the patient themselves was join the event and speak out about Parkinson’s and its nature for the community at the capital Addis and will strongly continue with new approaches by incorporate edutainment event. Hand to hand, such events enable contact with the community at the grass-roots level and contribute to raising financial assistance for poor PD patients to buy Walker, walking stick, wheelchair.

2. Who is benefited from the project?

The direct beneficiaries of this project are 50 Parkinson's Patients (Some of them are bedridden and need sanitation materials, water system to keep personal hygiene) in Ethiopia and who are suffering from stiffness problems due to Parkinson's disease and are unable to smoothly defecate was directly benefited. Besides, Parkinson's patient families, caregivers, and guardians were also got access to get services together with PD patients.

3. Achievement Overview and Result Obtained

Following the goodhearted individual and donors who have been sharing their time and efforts with a high level of commitment in support of our potential targets Parkinson patients through GlobalGiving, the planned activities were undertaking as per the time and resource allow.

So far, with the donation obtained the following activities were achieved

-          Assistive tool and equipment support were provided to (25 walking sticks, 10 walkers, 5 wheelchairs) that improve their mobility and strengthen their social interaction.

-          Physiotherapy service was given for 90 PD patients

-          37 PD Patients were getting access to a Modern and friendly Latrine system

-          65 PD patients were visited and acquire necessary awareness-raising and care and support services.

-          Understanding the current worldwide pandemic PD patient vulnerability; 80 PD Patients were obtained various sanitary kits (Soap, sanitizer, Masks, diapers, etc.)

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

For creating the betterment environment and ensure the quality of PD patients life, the organization were closely mentoring the project accomplishment and evaluate the achievement as per the reporting schedule set by GG.

5. Challenges

Just like previous experience, the number of newly registered PD patients is increasing and based on the referral linkage made with selected governmental hospital made, PD prevalence are growing. As a result, additional demand was observed. The impact of Covid-19 is also still challenging. Also, with a single or few kinds of support provided, we can’t still meet all their needs as the nature of the disease required comprehensive response approaches.

6. Living Story

Mr. Eshetu is one of our patients who are living with Parkinson’s for seven years. He said, the disease is so unconditional and the symptoms he experiences from time to time are increasing. He mentioned that he can’t able to lead his life as usual than require additional demand of assistance and friendly materials that helps to move from place to place. Mr. Eshetu further stated, it looks simple and not rate more to handle the situation for goodhearted individuals and supporter; but it means a lot for someone like us who are in need of having supportive materials. And he thanks the organization and all potential individuals who show their love and provide their support.

The other witness is Mrs. Desta is a health professional working in the organization and who mostly reach out to bedridden PD patients and empower them and their caregivers’ home to a home visit. She said that there are many patients who experience multiple challenges. Among patients visited, she witness one man lying on the bed (Bedridden) for a long time and always needs someone to take care of all his ways. Especially, as he can’t move without assistance and keep his urine, he used to experience a bad smile that isn’t comfortable for someone to look after him (including the caregivers). So, sanitary material support which is distributed for bedridden patients indeed matters the caregiver's role and acquire appropriate care and support at the right time and which further keep the patient's self-confidence and protect from a psychological crisis.