Cindi McQualter has been on a steep learning curve, gaining as much information about the disease as possible, since she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about two months ago.

Her diagnosis came after experiencing symptoms including tremors, slowness, stiffness, loss of balance, and not being able to walk very fast, if at all.

“I probably had some of the symptoms for years but didn’t even notice,” Mrs McQualter said.

“A lot of people seem to have had it for some time before they are diagnosed.

“I just didn’t know anything about it and I’m learning slowly but it’s a big ask.

“It’s pretty scary actually.”

Mrs McQualter “phoned around” to try and find out if there was a support group in the region, about the same time the Bay Post/Post Moruya Examiner reported that the Eurobodalla Parkinson’s Support Group had been forced to fold due to illness.

She phoned the region’s dedicated Parkinson’s nurse who suggested Mrs McQualter restart the group herself.

She envisages the group will meet monthly, rather than the previous fortnightly frequency, to provide not only support for those with Parkinson’s and their carers, but anyone interested in learning more about the disease.

“It stretches to anyone who has any interest whatsoever in Parkinson’s,” Mrs McQualter said.

“We’re also reaching out to people right across the shire, including Batemans Bay and Nelligen - most people we’ve connected with are from Moruya but there must be more out there.

“We’ll get guest speakers from various organisations about what we can do to help ourselves and just generally support each other and get through the hard times.”

Mrs McQualter is excited about the 10-week trial of Dance for Parkinson’s in Moruya.

She also hopes to see an innovative boxing program Punching out Parkinson’s brought to the region and said another possible idea for the group was establishing a choir.

The regenerated Eurobodalla Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its first meeting on Thursday, July 30, following the Dance for Parkinson’s class at the Dr Mackay Centre, in Page Street Moruya, which is expected to run from 10.30am to 11.30am.

On Thursday, August 6 there will be a brief planning meeting after the dance class to plan for the new support group's future.

For more information phone Mrs McQualter or Denis Buckley on 44726811 or 0418665562 or 0427959321.

Related coverage: Dance for Parkinson's in Moruya