Gavin’s Story: Powering through Parkinson’s

 Being widowed suddenly at the age of 40 with two daughters aged 6 and 10 required a lot of resilience, as anyone facing this situation would know. Balancing parenting duties with a career change was a complex test of resolve but was also unknowingly preparing my adaptability for a further challenge later in life.  

Fast forward to age 55–I was proud of what my girls had achieved and the joy they brought to my life through our journey. I had retrained as a disability support worker, then a nurse. Good fortune brought me another loving life partner in Catherine and we were arranging to marry and start travelling. 

I had developed lower back pain and had difficulty standing or walking for long periods without stopping to stretch. Like most people, not knowing anything different, I put this down to the discomfort of middle age. No matter how much physiotherapy or pain relief I took, these episodes kept happening and it was originally diagnosed as Sciatica.  

Then, someone asked me for directions at work and as I pointed, my hand was tremoring. Having seen these symptoms in patients on the ward, and the tremors becoming more frequent, I shut down into denial for around a year before it was too obvious to ignore and a Neurologist diagnosed me with Parkinson’s. Catherine and I discussed how this condition may affect our lives as the years progress and committed ourselves to fighting back, taking each day at a time, as she does having to live with Type 1 Diabetes.  

We married, I have a grandchild, and we have embarked on international travel with further goals that will just require a little more planning.  

Drawing from the same resilience I learned from nearly two decades ago, I am actively involved and co-lead a free community men’s boxing and fitness group. Yoga and static bike spin sessions are activities I also enjoy and complete as many days of the week as I can. Another achievement I am proud of (post diagnosis) is going back to TAFE and completing an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management, allowing me to move into office-based roles in the disability services sector.  

Now at age 59 and with retirement drawing ever closer, I have found a new purpose in building a Parkinson’s advocacy journey. This has included getting involved in three different research projects, fundraising, and the creation of a Parkinson’s Facebook group called, ‘Power Through Parkinson’s’, focused on informed but resilient Parkinson’s journeys. 

Of course, from the time of diagnosis, and occasionally since, my wife and I have reached out to Fight Parkinsons on different platforms to utilise the patient and carer resources to manage both roles. Even my Neurologist and allied health professionals have come from lists of dedicated movement disorder specialists in the field provided by Fight Parkinson’s. 

My only regret is the time I wasted in denial, when I could have been slowing and possibly reversing my symptoms earlier through evidence-based exercise. 

As strange as it may sound, I am grateful to have the privileges Parkinson’s has brought me. I know who loves me, I am mentally stronger, physically fitter than I have been for my age in the past, and spiritually fulfilled through my advocacy activities. 

Thank you, Parkinson’s, (despite being as annoying as you are).