I’d like to begin this blog by recommending a film called ‘The Way’ (2010) (starring Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen and James Nesbitt) which tells the story of four unlikely pilgrims walking one of the most famous pilgrimages – to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. I watched this gentle uplifting film last week while on a…
Parkinson’s is… Something we need to fight
This year I have been struggling with my Parkinson’s symptoms as my Parkinson’s progresses. I felt like I was in a constant daily battle with Parkinson’s which was quite honestly, exhausting. Although I know I am not alone, as I am one of millions of people worldwide living with Parkinson’s, and I have lots of…
Why we’re walking for Parkinson’s
Like many others, I watched the BBC documentary – The Parkinson’s drug trial: A miracle cure earlier this year. I found it extremely emotional watching, especially as I have Parkinson’s myself. I have so much admiration and respect for the brave participants and their families and all of the team working on this trial. It…
The truth about Parkinson’s progression
I have Parkinson’s and I know that it’s a progressive condition which means that it will get worse over time. But knowing something and experiencing it are two very different things… My Parkinson’s has been relatively stable for the last few years. For that I am very grateful. But my Parkinson’s has now progressed –…
Not yet
I haven’t written in my gratitude journal for a couple of days, and even when I do, my handwriting is often tiny and a completely illegible scrawl. Another of my Parkinson’s symptoms. So I’m not quite putting pen to paper, but shaky fingertip to smartphone to share a few slightly random thoughts on what I…
Parkinson’s is…
Parkinson’s is… Unwanted. Something I can’t escape from. Currently incurable. Degenerative. Relying on medication. A long term condition. A constant cycle of ups and downs. Struggling with everyday tasks. Constantly slowing me down. One of life’s challenges that I – and millions of others worldwide – have to face every day. No longer being able…
Look carefully
A lost pair of glasses in a park. They could have so easily been trodden on and broken. But instead there they were hanging on a low tree branch. I assume someone found them and very thoughtfully put them on the branch to keep them safe and hopefully in view in case the owner might…
A blog of two parts: Time capsules… part 2 – medication
Several times each day, I take my Parkinson’s medication. Each one of these tiny capsules gives me a limited amount of time in which my Parkinson’s symptoms are lessened. A friend asked me how I was recently. I replied with my usual completely honest “up and down”. She asked if I had good weeks and…
A blog of two parts: Time capsules… part 1 – memories
I had a conversation with a friend recently about the importance of memories. He asked me if I had money to spend on two holidays – one where I would be guaranteed to have a great time and enjoy every single minute while I was there, but would have absolutely no memory of it afterwards,…
Don’t stop me now… Fighting Fit – three months on
It’s been three months since I attended the *Fighting Fit pilot weekend. While it was a brilliant weekend in many ways, the main thing I took away from that weekend was that I need to be doing more regular exercise which targets my Parkinson’s symptoms. I made a resolution to myself to start exercising more….
Living with Parkinson's 