About Us
‘‘Our mission is to create awareness, to provide and promote that best possible care and support for people with Parkinson’s and related neurological conditions.’’
Although, he would be the first to say he was annoyed by his circumstances and the affliction of Parkinson’s Disease, he never dwelled upon the negative, demonstrating, not what he couldn’t do, rather, what he could.
He would not take a backward step and did not apologise, when bumping into someone, whist walking down the local street, rather, he would see this as an opportunity to educate someone on this insidious disease of Parkinson’s, with which he endured, rather than suffered.
The Foundation was established, in 2018, in honour of the late Darnley Montgomery, a long-term sufferer of Parkinson’s Disease and active member of the Parkinson’s Victoria’s Shepparton Peer Support Group.
The foundation’s purpose is primarily to act as a means of directing funds, generously donated by community organisations, to projects, at a local level, benefiting the care of and facilities available to persons with Movement Disorders.
Growing up in post war Tallygaroopna, where he toiled away on the family farm, not only did Darnley excel at sport, but he earned to love and respect of his small community, with his never give up attitude and the fire in his belly.
With great foresight, Darnley was integral in initiating the idea of creating a position for a Movement Disorder Nurse, to be based in the Shepparton Region and he set about fundraising toward this goal.
Darnley raised significant amounts for research into the disease and was instrumental in the project to establish a movement disorder nurse position at Goulburn Valley Health. In conjunction with Fight Parkinsons, the project was completed in 2016, and the position confirmed as an ongoing component of the GV Health Community Rehabilitation Program.
What we aim to achieve
The Foundation was established to support local projects that could benefit the care of, and facilities available to people with MDs.
Over the past year, we have sponsored 2 nurses to undertake the post-graduate unit in Parkison’s Care offered by the Australian College of Nursing. We have recently called for expressions of interest from other nurses interested in this course which is offered in January and July of each year. (Reimbursement given upon successful completion of course.)
We are also currently aiming to offer support speech therapists who provide services to adults in gaining certification in the Lee Silverman LOUD program.
We are also looking into the feasibility of sponsoring physiotherapists who wish to undertake training in techniques specifically designed to assist those with movement disorders.
We are currently subsidizing the cost of 2 group exercise programs for Parkinson’s sufferers provided by Parkinson’s Warrior physio Anna.