 with his teammates from Phoenix 681 FCA charity representing patients living with Parkinson's has criticised the lack of specialist care in Wales.Parkinson's UK Cymru describes care for those living with the disease in Wales as a "postcode lottery". Former rugby player Antony Evans, who was diagnosed aged 42, said medics did not consider Parkinson's because of his age. The Welsh government said it has created a roadmap for health boards to meet demand for support services.The charity said about 7,600 people in Wales are known to live with the disease in Wales, with 23 full-time specialist nurses to care for them.It is a progressive condition affecting the part of the brain which creates a chemical called dopamine and impairs the body's ability to control movement. There is no known cure.According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world.According to Antony, now 49, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding about the condition even within the medical profession.He received his diagnosis seven years ago, while undergoing an unrelated back operation."Physios missed it and other doctors missed it because of my age. That's something which seriously needs to become more prevalent in GPs - people under 40 can certainly get Parkinson's.""I was given Karate Kid, 'wax on, wax off' exercises. I had very shiny windows, but it was all for nothing. They didn't consider Parkinson's because I was 42 years of age."Image caption, Antony, seen here grabbing the ruby ball during a match against LlanelliIn the late 90s and early 00s, Antony played second row for the Caerphilly rugby team which secured 10 successive promotions, from the local rugby doldrums to the Welsh Premier Division. He was part of the team that secured a win on French soil (a Challenge Cup match away to Racing Club de France in 1998, which Caerphilly won 20-31) and lined up against Pau){kind=link}
A charity representing patients living with Parkinson’s has criticised the lack of specialist care in Wales.
Parkinson’s UK Cymru describes care for those living with the disease in Wales as a “postcode lottery”.
Former rugby player Antony Evans, who was diagnosed aged 42, said medics did not consider Parkinson’s because of his age.
The Welsh government said it has created a roadmap for health boards to meet demand for support services.
The charity said about 7,600 people in Wales are known to live with the disease in Wales, with 23 full-time specialist nurses to care for them.