Time to smell the roses
Pam describes Fight Parkinson’s as that best friend on the other end of the phone that is always there for you, listening without judgement and seeming to know what to do and how to do it, when you don’t. Pam’s journey has been unexpected; full of twists and turns, ups and downs, but without doubt […]
Staying two steps ahead
Dylan describes how Parkinson’s makes him ask this question each day, and he adjusts his plans so that he can live the day as best he can. Dylan acknowledges it takes a certain humility to start each day with this question. He continues to adapt to life with Parkinson’s since diagnosis eight years ago, aged […]
Learning to never give up
Cheryl didn’t think she would have to care for her husband Llwyd in the way she cared for her children when they were young, but this is what she had to do when her husband was diagnosed with Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy (PSP) at the age of 50. Cheryl recounts: “We thought at first he was […]
Holding on to my dream
This is now my fifth A Walk in the Park, and over the years I have proudly met my annual fundraising goal of $10,000. It means so much to me to be able to support others with Parkinson’s. Though it’s been 16 years since I was diagnosed, my own journey with Parkinson’s has taken many […]
This is my smile!
“Don’t look so serious”, my mother in law said, “smile for the camera”. “This is my smile” I replied. It’s fair to say that the camera and I are no longer friends. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s just over two years ago at 47. The diagnosis took 30 minutes, quick and simple. So many of […]
Cruising along
Andrew was diagnosed in 2000 after experiencing problems with walking, fatigue and deteriorating handwriting. At the time, one of his doctors told his wife Betty that he probably wouldn’t be able to walk in five years. This spurred Andrew on to a fairly heavy exercise regime. Fifteen years later, Andrew describes himself as becoming a “gym junkie.” He also continues to play golf […]
A love that lasts a lifetime
They met in London in the 1960’s when Elaine was studying to become a physiotherapist, and Jonathan a doctor. “It was a Women’s Weekly romance,” says Elaine. “In those days you had to stay and write up your notes after classes. That’s where Jonathan made the first move.” Elaine remembers with crisp clarity their first […]
Out of the blue
It was at this point that Clare was able to identify other problems – such as tiny hand-writing and freezing in one hand – that she had not previously known were related, or to be symptoms of Parkinson’s. Clare is fifty-nine years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eight years ago now. She is a […]
Being Young at Park
A Fight Parkinson’s Ambassador and Member of the Governance and Research Committee, Karyn is also a keen a blogger, sharing her knowledge and experiences online. She also founded Young at Park, a support group for people living with Young Onset Parkinson’s. Karyn has raised thousands of dollars to support services and research into Parkinson’s. In […]
Losing the Parkinson’s mask
It may not be considered a big achievement for most people, but for the former electrician and high school electronics teacher, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 12 years ago, it will be something of a milestone. Shane’s symptoms before diagnosis were what many describe as classic Parkinson’s – tremors and loss of fine motor skills. […]