BITS & PIECES - TWO-YEAR-OLD BATTLES PARKINSON’S

Reports from Canada suggest that two-year Keegan Mclellan may be one of the youngest people ever to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease

            A two-year-old toddler may be the world’s youngest ever person to be diagnosed with ‘juvenile Parkinson’s disease with dystonia’. In a report by Canada’s CTV claim, Keegan Mclellan’s family say, “his hands shake when he tries to concentrate on tasks and his legs jiggle when he tries to stand still.”

            After travelling across Canada visiting different doctors and trying to find the cause of the problems, Keegan was finally diagnosed. Keegan’s mother, Cortney Shyla Mclellan, said: “I’ve heard of Parkinson’s, but never in a child.”   

            Keegan is on medication that helps his symptoms, but his mother is hoping that a trip to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto will provide more answers.

            The family has been told that keeping Keegan active will also help his symptoms.

            “They say if he tries to slow down, it makes his brain work more, so he gets more muscle spasms,” Cortney said. “If he takes off running, it’s easier on him.”

            Parkinson's is a neurological disease. Because it affects body movements such as walking and talking and may cause tremors, it is considered a movement disorder. Parkinson's is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 40. Though less common, young-onset Parkinson's is diagnosed in people between the ages of 21-40. Even rarer still, juvenile Parkinson's is diagnosed in those under the age of 21.