Sean was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in March 2017 at the age of 43.
Before he even realised something was wrong, people had begun asking why he was limping. The first symptom he personally noticed was a tremor in his right hand while mountain biking. At first, he attributed it to fatigue, low blood sugar, or simply not being fit enough, anything other than what it eventually turned out to be.
After visiting his GP, Sean was referred to a neurologist. Receiving the diagnosis was incredibly overwhelming. At first, he tried to convince himself it wasn’t anything serious. One of the most frightening aspects was the uncertainty and how quickly the disease might progress and what it would mean for the future. Questions began to surface. How long until he might not be able to ride his bike, drive a car, or continue working?
Sean considers himself one of the “lucky” ones, as his Parkinson’s has progressed slowly. Aside from attending medical appointments, he has not yet had to take a day off work because of the condition. Exercise has become a vital part of managing his symptoms, and he aims to ride around 3,000 kilometres each year. For Sean, regular exercise is just as important as medication in helping to slow the progression of the disease.
Alongside the visible symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and changes in gait, there are many symptoms that cannot be seen. These include cognitive changes, anxiety, mood changes, fatigue, pain and sleep issues. Learning and retaining information can become more difficult, as can concentration and focus.
Despite these challenges, Sean believes Parkinson’s is not a death sentence. With the right adjustments and support, it is possible to fight Parkinson’s and continue living a relatively normal life.
The love and support of his wife, family, friends and workplace have made a huge difference. One of the hardest aspects of Parkinson’s, he says, is the impact it has on the people around you.
Sean takes part in A Walk in the Park to support Fight Parkinson’s and ensure the organisation can continue helping people living with Parkinson’s, as well as their families, carers and friends. The organisation has been a tremendous support to him and to the thousands of Victorians living with the condition. Knowing he can pick up the phone and receive expert advice and guidance, no matter how trivial or serious the question, provides enormous reassurance.
Having participated in several A Walk in the Park events, Sean says that arriving at Federation Square and seeing the large crowd gathered in support is incredibly powerful. It is a reminder that no one facing Parkinson’s has to face it alone.