It’s been just over four years since my dad passed away at the age of 83 years. I think it would have been around 2006, twelve years prior, that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. But I am pretty sure he knew well before then. You see he didn’t complain much, and just kind of got on with things.
He was dealt some tough things in life but kept fighting the good fight.

When he was a teenager, he suffered from polio, as did many others during that time. Thankfully he made a good recovery. However, later in life, although never officially diagnosed, he also struggled with post-polio Syndrome. The polio virus attacks the nerves that innervate our muscles in various part of our body, eg arms, legs, breathing muscles. Sometimes these nerves do not fully recover, so other nerves take over the muscles that need to be used. Later in life, these poor nerves can start to struggle with fatigue, due to having to work extra hard.

As you can imagine, the effects can be really debilitating for those who suffer with this condition. Fatigue, muscle pain and weakness are some of the difficulties that can affect them, causing havoc in an already ageing system.

Now, add Parkinson’s disease to this… which is a whole other kettle of fish – a degenerative condition of the nervous system – meaning it slowly gets worse. Michael J Fox… for those of you that were obsessed with him in Family Ties or Back to the Future … will know, was diagnosed quite young and continues to fight the disease, and is thankfully able to invest his time and money into ongoing research. It can affect people in so many ways, different for everyone, but hallmark symptoms are a stiffness in your limbs, disruption of balance and walking pattern, tremors, loss of voice volume and the ability to write.

Yes, these diseases slowly get worse, but you can still do so much. Dad did not let these diseases beat him, until the very end. Probably his stubbornness and determination (gee, I wonder where I got it from...) extended his life even further. You couldn’t tell him to stop driving the tractor, riding the mower, bushwalking etc until he was good and ready to make that decision himself.

I think he pushed himself harder after the diagnosis that ever before. Interestingly enough, some new research suggests that this is actually what is required for Parkinson’s disease to ensure your ability to function at your best – push a little harder than what you would usually in order to challenge the brain and body. He also made use of all the services he could, even from the early stages – physio for fitness, balance and joint/muscle treatment; speech pathology for voice rehabilitation and many others. The earlier you seek advice and apply this into your life the better.

It is natural, I think, to grieve a little when diagnosed with something like Parkinson’s disease or post-polio syndrome. However, you can still live and achieve so much enjoyment for as long as possible. Please don’t give up. Fight the good fight. Keep going. Let us be a part of your help.

Rebecca Bell