From left, state Rep. Shirley Arriaga, Parkinson’s Foundation member Stefany Scliopou and Mayor John Vieau stand with a proclamation recognizing Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Chicopee.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — With April being Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Chicopee hosted a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on April 11.
Mayor John Vieau stated that this was the first time Chicopee raised a flag to commemorate the month.
Due to the inclement weather, the ceremony was hosted inside the City Hall Auditorium.
National Parkinson’s Day is also observed annually on April 11 to raise awareness about the disease.
Vieau credited Parkinson’s Foundation Community Education and Outreach Manager Stefany Scliopou for bringing the idea for this event to his desk.
Scliopou talked more about the work her and her foundation do to help those living with Parkinson’s.
She said, “The foundation strives to make life better for people with Parkinson’s by improving care and advancing research towards a cure. Through our work, we bring together people with Parkinson’s, their care partners, medical professionals and researchers to ensure every person with Parkinson’s has access to best care.”
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s and affects 10 million people worldwide.
Scliopou said this is why her and the foundation work to increase awareness and funding for the disease.
“With someone diagnosed every six minutes, our mission is critical,” Scliopou stated, “People with Parkinson’s experience both motor and nonmotor symptoms, and scientists believe it’s a combination of environmental toxins and genetic factors that can cause Parkinson’s.”
There is currently no cure for the disease, which is why Vieau said he is glad to host this event to encourage people to do their research.
“People living with Parkinson’s can be very challenging,” Vieau said, “Not only for those who are affected but their loved ones and unfortunately, information about this condition is often not shared or taught.”
Scliopou explained while there is no cure, symptoms can be managed through treatments like medications, diet, exercise and in some cases, surgery to slow progression.
State Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D-Chicopee) was also at the event to show her support and help bring awareness to the disease.
She said, “I am happy and honored to be here today with you to support Parkinson’s Disease Day. If nothing else, it is right to bring awareness to this disease that impacts so many of us. Not a lot is known how exactly and why exactly certain folks do end up with this disease, but we do understand that it is a disease that can take over someone’s life.”
Arriaga also said besides physical symptoms, there are mental health issues that go along with the disease and stated, “Folks really need that love and support.”
The event concluded with Vieau reading a proclamation and the dropping of the Parkinson’s Foundation banner to recognize April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Chicopee.
For readers interested in learning more about the disease or to learn how to help, visit parkinson.org.
