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Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: mother with Parkinson’s disease gives hope to other patients

  • Winnie Chan, fighting for the rights of her peers, says that while their impairment is invisible, their needs are real
  • The chairwoman of Hong Kong Parkinson’s Disease Association was nominated for an award for her perseverance

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Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2022 nominee Winnie Chan. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

When Winnie Chan Yin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1995, she was only 33.

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“My feet shuffled whenever I became nervous,” the Hong Kong resident said, recounting some of her worst experiences.

“I had to lean on something or I would walk backwards [uncontrollably].”

In addition to gait and mobility problems, she was emotional.

“I cried easily,” Chan said.

Chairwoman of Hong Kong Parkinson’s Disease Association Winnie Chan. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Chairwoman of Hong Kong Parkinson’s Disease Association Winnie Chan. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Yet the mother of one, with support from her family, decided not to let the disease hold her back.

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