A NEW survey by Parkinson’s UK Scotland found 83 per cent of people with the condition have had negative experiences, including being laughed at and accusations of being drunk.
Almost two-thirds admitted they had cancelled or avoided social situations because they are embarrassed about their symptoms or are concerned about how people might react to them.
Around half said people don’t believe they have Parkinson’s, while a third revealed their lack of facial expressions – a side-effect of the condition – had been misinterpreted as being unfriendly.
Read our special report as Houston man Mark Brown opens up on living with the condition
Through the Parkinson’s Is campaign, the charity is encouraging people to share their experiences of living with the condition by using the hashtag #parkinsonsis online.
Annie Macleod, director of Parkinson’s UK Scotland, said: “The perception that Parkinson’s is an inevitable part of growing old and is just a bit of shakiness couldn’t be wider of the mark.
“Parkinson’s can be brutal and has more than 40 recognised symptoms. It affects people of all ages and typically has a massive impact on every aspect of someone’s life.
“To help shift this perception, we are launching our biggest ever awareness campaign to highlight just how serious the condition is.”
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