Parkinson’s is a disease that affects thousands of people around the world. The cause of the disease remains unknown. Some of the well-known figures in the world with the disease include:-
Muhammad Ali – The former boxing champion was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the year 1984 at the age of 42. In 1997, Muhammad Ali, philanthropist Jimmy Walker, and Abraham Lieberman, MD, established the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center Movement Disorders Clinic, a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence, at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. The centre works with patients and provides education and outreach opportunities to raise Parkinson’s disease awareness.
Pope John Paul II -In 2001 he was diagnosed as suffering from Parkinson’s disease. International observers had suspected this for some time, but it was only publicly acknowledged by the Vatican in 2003. Pope John Paul II died on 2nd April 2005 in his private apartment due to heart failure from profound hypotension and complete circulatory collapse from septic shock.
Michael J. Fox – The famous actor was diagnosed with the disease in 1991. He founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help advance every promising research path to curing Parkinson’s disease, including embryonic stem cell studies. He is committed to helping the foundation build Parkinson’s disease awareness and raise funds for research into preventing, treating, and curing the disease.
Billy Graham – Evangelist Billy Graham, according to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. He has had Parkinson’s disease since 1992.
Some of the well known persons with Parkinson’s disease in Africa include:-
Walter Sisulu – He was the famous South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress, serving at times as Secretary-General and Deputy President of the organization. He was jailed at Robben Island, where he served more than 25 years’ imprisonment. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and died on 5th May 2003 at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mukami Kimathi – She is the wife of the Late Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, the legendary leader of Kenya’s Mau Mau freedom fighters. Her granddaughter disclosed that she was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
References:
www.wikipedia.org,
www.billygraham.org,
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/20/parkinsons-disease-muhammad-ali,
www.michaeljfox.org,
www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000164260/president-uhuru-kenyatta-in-rare-praise-for-journalists?pageNo=2
