You may have noticed that WPA uses an image of a tulip throughout our website and publications. Have you ever wondered why?
The tulip is the official symbol within the Parkinson’s community. In 1980, J.W.S. Van der Wereld, a Dutch horticulturalist who had Parkinson disease, developed a red and white tulip. Van der Wereld named his prized flower, the ‘Dr. James Parkinson’ tulip, to honor the English apothecary surgeon who originally described Parkinson’s in 1812.
You will see many variations, as PD organizations around the world use the tulip as a symbol of hope and optimism. The tulip unifies independent regional organizations like WPA, national organizations and their individual chapters, people with Parkinson’s and their family and friends, neurologists, research scientists, and more.
The tulip is a reminder that regardless of affiliation, we are one community working toward common goals: to help people with Parkinson’s live better longer, to discover better treatments, and to strive for a cure.