During April, Parkinson’s Disease National Awareness Month, you might see the same images and colors popping up. A lot of people don’t realize that PD has its own symbols to bring awareness to the disease.
The Tulip
The tulips are blooming just in time for the PD tulip to shine. I proudly wear my tulip pin and I have so many people with Parkinson’s ask me what it means.
The red tulip has been associated with Parkinson’s awareness since 1980 when a Dutch horticulturist with PD developed a red and white tulip. In April 2005, the red tulip was launched as the Worldwide Symbol of Parkinson’s Disease at the 9th World Parkinson’s Disease Day Conference in Luxembourg.
This stylized red tulip drawing, with leaves shaped like the letters “P” and “D”, was designed by early-onset PD patient Karen Painter. Karen and Jean Burns led the movement for it to become the nationally recognized symbol for Parkinson’s Disease Awareness.
The Ribbon
We all know the pink ribbon is synonymous with Susan B. Komen and breast cancer. Parkinson’s also has a ribbon, but it changes depending on who you ask.
The color most accepted is grey, which is also the color of brain cancer. I couldn’t find the exact reason why grey was picked. I’d like to think it was picked because it represent “grey matter” in the brain. That makes it cooler than a dreary color, right?
Theses are my grey ribbon earrings made for me by KAC Kreation, one of my fighters and dancers.
Some sites represent Parkinson’s as “silver”. Silver is fancier, but I’m really trying to change people’s attitude about assuming only seniors get PD. It sounds like “Silver Sneakers” to me. It’s also the color of mental illness like depression.
The Mascot
The mascot of PD is “Parky the Raccoon.” People with PD voted to be called “Parkies” and really love the mascot to represent the disease. About 5 years ago when I heard about Parky, I thought people would be offended.
Some people might have mixed feeling about it or don’t really care. I like to use PWP (People with Parkinson’s) it puts the person first and the Parkinson’s as something that is a part of them but not defining them. But that’s just my opinion.
Ultimately, however, I call the people I work with on a daily basis with PD “Fighters.” Because that’s what they are. They are a fighter against a tough disease, and every day choosing to move and take back their life.