Christy McGhee

2 weeks ago | parkinsonseurope.org | Christy McGhee

Our new Brussels-based Campaigns and Advocacy Manager, Hildur Kristjana Önnudóttir, joined Parkinson’s Europe at the beginning of March. We spoke to Hildur about the work she will be doing for the organisation, and why it is so important. What did you do before joining Parkinson’s Europe as Campaigns and Advocacy Manager?

3 weeks ago | parkinsonseurope.org | Christy McGhee

While not everyone will experience freezing, it is a common symptom of Parkinson’s, particularly in the middle to late stages. Suddenly losing the ability to move for a few seconds or minutes can be upsetting, but the more you understand freezing, the easier it is to navigate through. Here we talk about what freezing with Parkinson’s actually is, why it occurs and the range of treatments available to help.

3 weeks ago | parkinsonseurope.org | Christy McGhee

Our fourth round-up of books with Parkinson’s themes is a bumper one! Reflecting our broad audience across Europe, we have listed 12 books in Croatian, Greek, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese as well as English. The topics covered include how to live well with Parkinson’s as well as inspiring personal accounts written by people with the condition.

1 month ago | parkinsonseurope.org | Christy McGhee

In 1981 JWS Van der Wereld, a Dutch horticulturist with Parkinson’s, created a prize tulip to honour the International Year of Disabled Persons. He named the flower – pink, with a white feather on each petal – the Dr James Parkinson’s tulip, after the British surgeon who first identified the condition. But how did it come to be known as a global symbol for Parkinson’s, and the official logo for Parkinson’s Europe?

1 month ago | parkinsonseurope.org | Christy McGhee

Belgian singer-songwriter Birdie Belgium is launching a new song on 11 April, to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s. A heartfelt tribute to her mother, Birdie wrote “It’s Hard to See” after seeing the effects of her mother’s 14-year battle with Parkinson’s. After sharing the track with Professor Bas Bloem, the song is now being released for World Parkinson’s Day 2025, to raise awareness, offer comfort, and help fund vital research.