Alex is 24 years old and at the age of 11 was the youngest person to be diagnosed with Juvenile Parkinson's Disease.

This has made life extremely difficult for Alex and his family, especially for doing things he loves such as gaming and for day to day things such as using his mobile phone and tablet and of course the things that many of us take for granted holidays abroad.

It’s been an ambition of Alex's to have a holiday of a life time, but as you can appreciate, for some with Alex’s needs this does not come cheap, and is a major undertaking, not only for Alex but for his family too.

So it’s our aim to raise £30,000 over the next year to give him a 25th birthday year he will never forget.

So, What Is Juvenile Parkinson’s or Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD)

Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) occurs in people younger than 50 years of age. Most people with idiopathic, or typical, PD develop symptoms at 50 years of age or older.

YOPD affects about two to 10 percent of the one million people with PD in the United States. Symptoms are similar to late onset PD but it is important to understand the challenges YOPD individuals often face at a financial, family and employment levels.

In rare instances, Parkinson's-like symptoms can appear in children and teenagers. This form of the disorder is called juvenile Parkinsonism and is often associated with specific, high-PD risk genetic mutations.

Symptoms

Young-onset PD is diagnosed similarly to late onset PD with symptoms including:

• Tremors of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face

• Rigidity of the limbs and trunk

• Bradykinesia (slowness of Movement)

• Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination

People with YOPD may experience the same non-motor symptoms as others with PD, including:

• Depression

• Sleep disturbances

• Changes in memory and thinking

• Constipation or urinary problems

So, What’s The Plan?

Well, the plan is to take Alex to the Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio, Texas, USA . 100% of the money raised will go on the trip for Alex and his family, and cover the cost of travel, accommodation, travel insurance, food, & park admissions.

What Is Wonderland?

When it celebrated its grand opening April 10, 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland became the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment. The completely wheelchair-accessible park features more than 25 elements including rides, playgrounds and other colorful attractions. From the very beginning, anyone with a special need has been admitted free of charge, no questions asked.

It is Morgan’s fervent hope that everyone with a special need – young and older, healthy or ailing, introspective or outgoing – will be touched in a very special way by Morgan’s Wonderland: a shrine of inclusion, an oasis of friendship, an unforgettable wonderland…Morgan’s Wonderland!

So Please, help us to help Alex's dream come true.