An interview with Dr. Prashanth LK from the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic on September 27, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
Consultant Neurologist & Movement Disorders Specialist,
Specialist: Parkinson’s Disease and Other related Movement Disorders.
Founding Member: Movement Disorders Society of India
Steering Committee Member: Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (2023-__)
Executive committee Member: Asian & Oceanian Section of IPMDS (MDS-AOS) (2021-2025)
Treasurer : Movement Disorders Society of India (2021-2024)
Web Editor: Movement Disorders Society of India (2014-2021)
Editorial Board : Moving Along Newsletter of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (IPMDS)
Editorial Board: Movement Disorders in Clinical Practice Journal (MDCP) (2022-__)
Editorial Board: Deep Brain Stimulation Journal (2022 -)
Please tell us more about yourself.
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement disorders Clinic is an exclusive clinic run by Dr. Prashanth LK, in Bangalore, India. Dr. Prashanth LK, is an well know Parkinson’s disease specialist who works on various clinical, research and patient support related programs. He is also a very active member in the International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders society and Global Parkinson’s Genetic Program (GP2)
Can you tell me more about your advocacy?
We are working in Bangalore, southern India to create awareness and support system for people with Parkinson’s disease and also run support for other parkinsonian syndromes like Progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
The support system has been the brainchild of Dr. Prashanth LK, who has been guiding us on creating platforms for people to interact and help in understanding the disease and creating an conducive environment for its support.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when seeing your advocacy?
People with Parkinson’s disease does notice that there is lack of awareness of the disorder among the community. In addition, they also note there is a clear lack of support systems at various levels including insurance and government schemes. This must change.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
Ours is an ongoing system, where in people are assessed and based upon their understanding of the disorder, counselling sessions, therapy sessions like Physiotherapy, yoga, support group events, speech therapies are organized, both at individual levels and group levels.
What effect can your advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Our goal is to create a more positive attitude for people with Parkinson’s and create more ambassadors to talk about Parkinson’s in the community.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your advocacy?
We are looking to create meaningful advocacy, which can reach out to the government and the insurance agencies to create more supportive laws and treatment options.
What events do you participate in?
We do participate in various local programs and international programs to get information which can be shared with our group.
How does your advocacy also assist caregivers?
Yes, care giver support has been one of the primary objectives of this group. We create more meaningful interactions for the family and primary care givers to address their needs and avoid burnouts.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Currently the reach out is through the clinic of Dr. Prashanth LK and spread of word from the ambassadors. We are open up for anyone keen to get help or to help us. They can reach us out on +91 7026603300
https://www.movementdisordersclinic.com/drprashanthlk/
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Our goal is to create awareness and more ambassadors who can reach out to more people.
How could more support be provided in India for Parkinson’s awarness?
India is vast country to varied cultural, language and socioeconomic strata. There is a requirement for multiple advocacies who can reach out to these populations and address their needs. We are looking forward to the international communities helping in create more meaningful events and information pouches.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Together we can make a difference.