Today is 11 April. For many, it’s just an ordinary day. For others it marks a special day, perhaps a birthday, or an anniversary – a day to remember someone special who is sadly no longer here. It is also World Parkinson’s Day. For those of us in the Parkinson’s community, it’s an opportunity to…
Tag: YOPD
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…
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…
Writing: A Creative Challenge
Last month, I entered the first Let’s Combat Micrographia writing competition for people with Parkinson’s – submitting a story which included over 25 words from a list of 50 words. My story was over 360 words, it was handwritten and my writing was actually legible! And it was much bigger than it used to be….
Waiting and hoping, but not drowning
I began my DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) journey a couple of months ago. I’ve now been through the assessment process to see if I am suitable for this brain surgery – which although not a cure for Parkinson’s, has the potential to greatly improve my quality of life. The assessments involved an MRI scan, cognitive…
All at sea and sharing a single sky
When music strikes a chord. And inspires blogs. All at Sea. Single Sky. Two songs which I’ve been singing with my choir recently – both by our Musical Director Gitika Partington’s band 3 Bucket Jones. Both of which struck a chord with me over the last few years – in fact they both inspired blogs….
And so it begins…
Excited. Nervous. Scared. Those feelings you get when you’re waiting for something which has the potential to either crush your hopes or fulfill them. That’s how I felt this week after the wheels were finally set in motion for me to start the assessment process to see if I am eligible for Deep Brain Stimulation…
Blog 100: The future’s not ours to see
As it’s coming up to seven years since the day I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease, this blog is about where I’ve been on my Parkinson’s journey for the last year or so, and what may lie ahead. When you’re on five types of Parkinson’s medication, taking more than 10 tablets a day, and…
Discombobulated
I can hardly believe it’s August already! This year hasn’t turned out at all how I thought it would (and I’m pretty sure not alone in feeling this way). We’ve all experienced changes and challenges in our lives before. Yet somehow this year feels different. I’ve never heard the word ‘unprecedented’ used so many times…
Parkinson’s and perspective in pandemic times
I spent much of last year really struggling with my Parkinson’s. At the start of this year, I turned a corner in terms of how I was coping with everything, and I decided to focus on hope. I made plans – I booked a trip abroad with my best friend, I joined a new choir,…
Living with Parkinson's 