By NICOLE WILLIAMS
A NARRE Warren woman believes a new Parkinson’s disease support group in Pakenham could be a godsend to carers and sufferers.
Ginetta Bianchin has been caring for her husband Nat for 10 years and believes a local support group is important for anyone living with Parkinson’s and their carers.
“With a support group like this you know they are people who are also dealing with what you’re dealing with on a daily basis.
“As carers, you only have to look at one another to know how they are feeling,” she said.
“For a person with Parkinson’s, even though some don’t talk a lot, they feel comfortable being with someone else in their situation.”
Ms Bianchin said she and Nat struggled to find the right support after a group in Cranbourne closed and she found the Warragul group was too far away.
“Now I don’t have to travel very far,” she said.
“Having someone at the other end of the phone for a chit-chat and they understand where they’re coming from is a very big support.”
Ms Bianchin Parkinson’s Victoria’s help has been invaluable since Nat was diagnosed.
“They have been a terrific help to me and a good support,” she said.
“A lot of people don’t know where to go when they get the first diagnosis. It is like walking through fog.”
The Pakenham Parkinson’s Support Group held its inaugural meeting on Thursday 28 March at the Pakenham Senior Citizens Centre.
The group was addressed by Dianne Rayner from the Parkinson’s Victoria Health Team who spoke about the role the group could play in the community and how it could support local residents living with Parkinson’s, as well as their carers and families.
Anne Madhaven, the leader of the Warragul Parkinson’s Support Group, also attended to lend her knowledge of how a support group operates and her personal experiences as an organiser of such a group.
The Pakenham Parkinson’s Support Group meets at 1.30pm on the fourth Thursday of each month.
For more information contact Parkinson’s Victoria on 9581 8700.
