Eopd.ie

Eopd.ie We're here for you 💙 Offering support & information to people diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson's

FREE Mindfulness & Wellbeing Online Workshop Series with Wellbeing Consultant, Lorraine McDonnell 🧘Following the massive...
28/05/2026

FREE Mindfulness & Wellbeing Online Workshop Series with Wellbeing Consultant, Lorraine McDonnell 🧘
Following the massive success of our previous series, we’re delighted to launch a brand new six-week block of remote Mindfulness & Wellbeing classes with Lorraine McDonnell, beginning Thursday 4 June at 7:00pm 💙
These weekly online sessions will focus on mindfulness, breathwork, positivity and practical wellbeing tools to support both mind and body.
✨ Starting Thursday 4 June
✨ 7:00pm – 8:00pm
✨ Fully online
✨ Open to members, non-members, family members and carers
✨ Completely free to attend
This course is fully funded by EOPD Ireland and is free to attend for members and non-members alike, as well as family and carers of individuals living with EOPD.
Take some time for yourself, connect with others and prepare to enhance your wellbeing alongside a supportive community. Register now via the link in bio 🔗

“For years, my symptoms were dismissed as stress, anxiety, or carer burnout.”In this powerful interview with the Irish I...
26/05/2026

“For years, my symptoms were dismissed as stress, anxiety, or carer burnout.”

In this powerful interview with the Irish Independent, EOPD Ireland Board Member Lynn McDonald shares the reality of living with Early Onset Parkinson’s while caring for her terminally ill daughter Daisy.

Lynn’s story shines a light on the often unseen realities of Early Onset Parkinson’s — delayed diagnosis, stigma, barriers to support, financial pressure, and the impact of trying to navigate serious illness while still caring for others.

Sadly, many people within the EOPD community spend years searching for answers before finally receiving a diagnosis.

But Lynn’s story is also one of resilience, advocacy and community. Through EOPD Ireland, she found connection, understanding and a community that truly understands the challenges of living with Parkinson’s at a younger age.

Thank you Lynn for sharing your story so openly and honestly 💙 read Lynn’s full piece on the EOPD Ireland website via link in bio.

“For years, my symptoms were dismissed as stress, anxiety, or carer burnout.”In this powerful interview with the Irish I...
26/05/2026

“For years, my symptoms were dismissed as stress, anxiety, or carer burnout.”

In this powerful interview with the Irish Independent, EOPD Ireland Board Member, Lynn McDonald shares the reality of living with Early Onset Parkinson’s while caring for her terminally ill daughter Daisy.

Lynn’s story shines a light on the often unseen realities of Early Onset Parkinson’s — delayed diagnosis, stigma, barriers to support, financial pressure, and the impact of trying to navigate serious illness while still caring for others.

Sadly, many people within the EOPD community spend years searching for answers before finally receiving a diagnosis.

But Lynn’s story is also one of resilience, advocacy and community. Through EOPD Ireland, she found connection, understanding and a community that truly understands the challenges of living with Parkinson’s at a younger age.

Thank you Lynn for sharing your story so courageously and honestly 💙 Read Lynn’s full piece on our website via link in bio

Warmer weather can affect people living with Parkinson’s in very different ways — but heat sensitivity is a very real an...
26/05/2026

Warmer weather can affect people living with Parkinson’s in very different ways — but heat sensitivity is a very real and common experience within the Parkinson’s community. ☀️💙

Parkinson’s can impact the body’s ability to regulate temperature, hydration and blood pressure, which may lead to increased fatigue, dizziness, stiffness, brain fog or worsening motor symptoms during hot weather.
Thankfully, there are many ways you can help keep yourself safe and regulated in the heat — from staying hydrated and planning around hotter parts of the day, to using cooling strategies and listening to your body’s signals.
We’ve shared some science-backed information and practical tips that may help you stay safer and more comfortable during periods of heat.

Most importantly, listen to your body.
Stay safe out there and remember to take things at your own pace 💙

Sophia Abraham .abraham6 is taking on the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon for EOPD Ireland in support of her mam Sylvia living...
06/05/2026

Sophia Abraham .abraham6 is taking on the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon for EOPD Ireland in support of her mam Sylvia living with Early Onset Parkinson’s 💜

“I’m running the VHI mini Mathon to raise money for EOPD Ireland in honour of my Mam Sylvia. She was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease and she is such a role model for me and she is what inspired me to raise money for such an amazing charity!!”

Sophia is now just under €1,000 raised for our community 👏 Help her smash her target through the link in our bio!

We also still have a LIMITED number of FREE charity places available to run for EOPD Ireland 👟 If Sophia has inspired you to do something incredible, we would love to have you join our team. Email [email protected] for more information today!

Drop a comment below to wish Sophia the very best of luck 🍀💜

Thank you so much Sophia — you are an inspiration.

As we reach the halfway point of our first Mindfulness & Wellbeing Workshop Series, we want to say a huge thank you to ...
06/05/2026

As we reach the halfway point of our first Mindfulness & Wellbeing Workshop Series, we want to say a huge thank you to for the incredible kindness, care and positivity she has brought to the EOPD Ireland community 💙

Already, we are hearing and seeing the benefits these sessions are having for people living with Early Onset Parkinson’s — creating space to pause, breathe, connect and focus on wellbeing alongside others who understand the journey.

Lorraine has created such a warm and uplifting environment each week, sharing practical tools around mindfulness, resilience and positivity that can make a real difference in everyday life.

At EOPD Ireland, we know that living with Parkinson’s impacts far more than physical health alone. Mental wellbeing, connection and community matter too, which is why opportunities like this are so important.

Thank you Lorraine for your generosity, compassion and dedication to supporting our community. We are so grateful to have you guiding this journey with us.

We also look forward to announcing more free workshops and community supports like this in the coming months, so make sure you are signed up to our newsletter to stay up to date with upcoming opportunities ✨

❤️

Storytelling has an important role to play in challenging stigma, building empathy, and opening up conversations around ...
06/05/2026

Storytelling has an important role to play in challenging stigma, building empathy, and opening up conversations around neurological conditions and disability. Incredible work by the team in bringing this powerful film, centred on coming to terms with an Early Onset Parkinson’s diagnosis, to Aer Lingus flights.

EOPD Ireland was proud to support the project by working with the wonderful director to help ensure portrayals of EOPD were grounded in lived experience, through guidance from our board members living with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease.

Congratulations to the entire team involved in bringing this important project to such a wide audience.

Ireland’s health system is not designed for people living with Early Onset Parkinson’s — and it’s showing.Last week, we ...
29/04/2026

Ireland’s health system is not designed for people living with Early Onset Parkinson’s — and it’s showing.
Last week, we brought this reality to Leinster House.
At our policy briefing, hosted by clinicians and EOPD members laid out what’s really happening:
• Patients waiting 23 months for time-sensitive brain surgery
• People becoming ineligible for treatment while stuck on waiting lists
• A system with no functioning Parkinson’s care pathway
Neurosurgeon Ms Catherine Moran shared that when a hospital bed became available, she had to call a patient on a Sunday and ask them to arrive at 5am the next morning — doing everything possible within an overwhelmed system.
Professor Richard Walsh explained that many patients must repeat DBS assessments as they wait — with some deteriorating to the point where they are no longer eligible for surgery.
Dr Conor Fearon highlighted a critical gap: Ireland needs a fit-for-purpose Parkinson’s care pathway.

We also heard about what does work:
• Exercise — the only evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention proven to slow progression
• The need for community-based neurorehabilitation teams (supported by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland)
• Access to Public Health Nurses to coordinate care and support independent living
• The reality of workplace discrimination after diagnosis

There are solutions.

Investment in a neurosurgical robot could double surgical capacity and reduce waiting lists.
Yet in 2023 alone, €2–3 million was spent sending patients abroad for surgery.
This is not sustainable.
And it’s not acceptable.
👉 Read the full story and our policy asks at the link in bio
Advocacy Neurorehabilitation HealthEquity

Important update: The start time has changed for our Community Meet Up this Saturday 11th April, to begin at 4:30pm as w...
08/04/2026

Important update: The start time has changed for our Community Meet Up this Saturday 11th April, to begin at 4:30pm as we celebrate Parkinson’s Awareness Day alongside our fantastic Abseil challengers!
Join us for drinks, platters of food and great atmosphere at The Club Dalkey
Family and friends are most welcome! We look forward to celebrating another year of with our wonderful community together and welcoming some new faces ☀️

☕ Tomorrow join us for Coffee at Mount Congreve Gardens! Fancy a coffee, a gentle stroll, and a good chat in a beautifu...
09/02/2026

☕ Tomorrow join us for Coffee at Mount Congreve Gardens! Fancy a coffee, a gentle stroll, and a good chat in a beautiful setting?
We’re meeting tomorrow for our EOPD South East Coffee & Stroll Meetup 💙
📍 Mount Congreve Gardens, Co. Waterford
⏰ 11:00am
This is a relaxed, welcoming meetup to connect, share, and breathe - no pressure, no expectations, just community. All fitness levels welcome. ✨ We’ll meet in the coffee shop - look out for the EOPD leaflets on the table.
If you’re free, come along. If not, share with someone who might be
See you there! ☕

Address

77 Lower Camden Street
Dublin
DO2XE80

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+353861030266

Website

https://eopd.ie/take-the-leap-for-eopd-ireland/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Eopd.ie posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share