Award hope for Worcester Parkinson's sufferer (From Worcester News)

Award hope for Worcester Parkinson's sufferer

7:50pm Sunday 14th March 2010 in

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A YOUNG Parkinson’s disease sufferer from Worcester who spends his time raising awareness of the disease has been shortlisted for an award.

Mark Davies, aged 45, of Cranham Court, Warndon, was diagnosed with the disease 16 years ago.

He has now made it onto the shortlist of 10 for Midlands Tenant of the Year thanks to his groundbreaking work to help improve local housing services and to ensure quality and diversity issues are top of the agenda for staff at Worcester Community Housing.

Mr Davies regularly shares his practical knowledge on disability by talking about how personal assumptions, stereotyping and prejudice can affect the decision making process and ultimately affect the housing services on offer.

Mr Davies said: “I didn’t know a thing about the award until I was told I had been nominated and I’m so chuffed just to be recognised and to raise awareness of Parkinson’s.

“I do lots of work with Parkinson’s Disease Society and the Young Parkinson’s Network.

“It’s something I do because if you don’t do it, someone else will do it for you.

“It’s so nice to be recognised for something you do. I don’t do it for self gain but just to raise awareness that Parkinson’s is not an elderly person’s disease, it really can affect anybody.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out I had it; it’s lifelong, it’s degenerative and there’s no cure for it.”

Di Smith, head of customer services and involvement at Worcester Community Housing, said: “It is fantastic to see Mark up for this award.

“He is one of the select few that can inspire and encourage others on a personal level and professional level.

“He helps to hone our understanding of disability issues and encourages staff to plan and deliver the very best.”

The accolade is part of the Connecting People Awards, which are organised by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS), together with Midlands Housing magazine.

The awards have been designed to celebrate the very best achievements of tenants and housing associations who work in communities across the region.

The results will be announced on Thursday at an award ceremony at the St John’s Hotel in Solihull.

If he wins, Mr Davies will go throught to the national final which will be held during the TPAS annual conference at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham in July.