Facing the Rising Tide: Why Parkinson’s Disease Demands Urgent Attention
The Silent Surge in Belgium
Every year, over 6,000 Belgians are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In total, more than 65,000 people in Belgium live with the condition today — a number expected to rise sharply due to aging demographics. The economic cost of Parkinson’s care in Belgium already exceeds €1 billion annually. This includes direct medical expenses, long-term disability support, and the impact of premature retirement and caregiver burden.
While cancer rightly receives massive public and governmental support through campaigns like “Kom op tegen Kanker,” (Stand up against Cancer) it’s time we say: “Kom op tegen Parkinson” (Stand up against Parkinson’s). The growing wave of neurological conditions will overwhelm our healthcare system if we don’t act now. The Belgian government — and all governments — must wake up and allocate resources to match the scale of this crisis.
When the Diagnosis Changes Everything
When I turned sixty in 2015, I received a diagnosis I was not prepared for: Parkinson’s disease. I had no idea what it was. I noticed I was becoming slower — writing, walking, reacting. I, who had always been so quick, suddenly couldn’t keep up.
The diagnosis was a shock
I was on my own - I felt ashamed — as if I were to blame - was this “the end”? I did not have the courage to tell friends and family - I was lost ... I fought dark thoughts.......... loneliness is a slow invisible killer.
From Isolation to Resilience
Eventually, overwhelmed and unsupported, I landed in a psychiatric clinic. There, I met professionals who helped me begin to accept my condition. I found a new circle of friends — people who understood, who supported each other, who offered empathy rather than pity. I still cherish those friendships today.
That period marked the start of my advocacy. I joined Parkinson’s organizations like Parkili, which promotes movement and awareness in Belgium. I also became a regular participant at the World Parkinson Congress (WPC), where people with Parkinson’s stand shoulder to shoulder with scientists, caregivers, clinicians, and policymakers.
The Power of Communication and Community
At the WPC 2023 in Barcelona, I discovered the power of inclusive dialogue. It’s the most comprehensive event I have attended — a truly integrated congress where the voices of patients matter. It helped me rebuild my identity and realize “I was not alone”. That’s why I return to it — for the energy, the inspiration, and the mission. And to pass this power I found to others who needed it today.
We need awareness. We need funding. We need better public understanding of what Parkinson’s really is — a chronic, disabling neurological condition that’s becoming more prevalent every year.
Hope Through Action
With proper investment, I believe Parkinson’s can become a disease of the past — just as we have seen with AIDS, which has become a disease that can be managed. But we need global action, national commitment, and local engagement.
It starts with awareness. It continues with funding. And it ends with better lives for people like me — and the tens of thousands who are still walking into this diagnosis with fear, confusion, and silence.
Let’s break that silence. Let’s act — before it’s too late.
Myriam Penninckx is a WPC 2026 Ambassador. Before arriving at the WPC, she retired from her professional work as a financial executive from Belgium who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of sixty. Since her diagnosis, she has become a strong advocate for patient empowerment and improved access to information. She is actively involved with Parkili, a Belgian organization promoting movement and social connection for people with Parkinson’s. Myriam has attended the 6th World Parkinson Congress in Barcelona and believes in the power of inclusive dialogue to drive change.