Campaign launched to raise awareness of people with neurological conditions during coronavirus pandemic

The Wales Neurological Alliance aims to tell the stories of people with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s, to increase awareness around a ‘forgotten’ group.

An awareness-raising campaign to combat a lack of awareness was launched on the 20th April by the Wales Neurological Alliance (WNA). It will focus on telling the personal stories of people living with conditions such as Parkinson’s, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Neurological conditions or ‘disorders’ affect the nervous system. This can include the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves throughout the body. Some can have anything from minor to severe impacts on a person’s daily life, which others can be life-threatening.

Chair of the WNA and Director of Parkinson’s UK Cymru, Ana Palazon, said:

“For people across Wales living with neurological conditions, the new challenges they face because of coronavirus and the lockdown, are on top of so many issues they face daily.”

“What we’re trying to do with this campaign is to increase awareness and give a voice to an often-forgotten group in society in such extraordinary times”, Ana added.
While not having a greater risk of contracting coronavirus, people with more chronic neurological conditions can potentially increase the risk of a more severe case of Covid-19.

For many isolating themselves inside their homes due to the lockdown, loneliness can also be a huge problem. Ana continued to say that “if you know someone who might be lonely, then reach out to them. It can really make a world of difference to someone who’s lonely in these times.”

The campaign is run jointly with master’s students from Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture. Beginning last Monday, 20th April, the storytelling campaign will run for three weeks until 10th May.