When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s nearly nine years ago, I had no idea what my future would look like. I consider myself lucky to have access to brilliant NHS services for Parkinson’s and also great support from friends and family. Without both of these, my Parkinson’s journey would have been a much more difficult…
Tag: Parkinson’s
Lost and found
I have recently returned from a wonderful week’s holiday in the Lake District. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have a break, enjoy several walks and spend the week with an amazing group of people – friends old and new on this year’s Thinking Faith retreat at Boarbank Hall in Cumbria… I last…
Things are not always as they seem
“I can wave!” I can wave my hand! I remember feeling excited about being able to wave again, shortly after I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and started taking medication. It may seem like a little thing, but for me it was a really big deal. I had that excited feeling again, eight years later, last…
My new normal: Recharging my battery, being reunited with my orange frog and playing Scrabble with a missing tile
Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s changed me in lots of ways. At the time, I never thought I would feel ‘normal’ again, but it’s surprising how quickly we can adapt sometimes. What’s ‘normal’ anyway? I guess in this context, it’s what feels normal to each of us as individuals. Prior to my Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)…
Self Care Week – Round up and practical tips for self care
During this Self Care Week, I have been sharing some insights into self care when you have a long term condition from some friends who inspire me. We all have different conditions, but we also have a lot in common, I think most importantly, our determination to live as well as we can with our…
Rolling back the tears
After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it was several months before I could say “I have Parkinson’s” without fighting back the tears. Three years after my diagnosis, I shared my first blog about living with Parkinson’s and I was overwhelmed (teary even) at the positive response and support that I received from friends, family, colleagues…
My DBS journey: Feeling afraid, holding onto hope and practising patience
For me, one of the worst things about living with Parkinson’s is knowing that it’s not going to get better. But the prospect of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery gave me hope that my symptoms could be eased and my quality of life could be improved. This summer after struggling for so long with the…
My DBS journey continues… Alongside England’s Euro 2020 journey
The last time that England reached the semi finals in the European Cup was in 1996. That was the first time I watched an entire football match. It was also the year I had brain surgery to remove a growth in my pituitary gland. Coincidentally, England reached the semi finals again this summer 2021, and…
Painting A Story
In a recent blog, I set myself a Creative Writing Challenge to help me to practice my handwriting and support the work of Parkinson’s Care and Support UK (PCSUK). I invited everyone who sponsored me to send me a word which I would then include in a handwritten story. I would like to say a…
Living with Parkinson’s: Memorable Moments
The theme of this year’s Parkinson’s Awareness Week (11-17 April 2021) is mental health in Parkinson’s. So I thought I would share a few memorable moments which have impacted on my mental health… The letter – I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in October 2013. I remember the day, a few months later, when I received…
Living with Parkinson's 