The source of this article is Peterborough Today: http://tinyurl.com/74q7k

IN FOCUS:"Parkinson's made me enjoy life"

THERE are 120,000 people living with Parkinson's disease in the UK, and
10,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. To mark Parkinson's awareness
week, Features Editor Rachael Gordon looks at the effects of the disease
and how Peterborough sufferers are determined to live their lives to the full.
"I don't have a full set of matching dishes," joked mum-of-one Marjorie
Abbott. "And it won't be long before I am banned from the supermarket
because I have dropped and smashed so many glass jars.

"But having a sense of humour is very important when you have Parkinson's.
Sometimes you have to just laugh at yourself, because there isn't anything
you can do about your condition, other than managing the symptoms and
learning to live with it."

Marjorie, who lives in a village near Peterborough, was aged just 39 when
she first had symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

She said: "Michael J Fox's started with a tremor in his little finger and
mine started with a tremor in my right thumb.

"I knew something was wrong, but I used to hide it.

"Then, one day when I went to the doctor's with sinus problems, they asked
what was wrong with my thumb. I said nothing, but I had tests and I was
diagnosed with Parkinson's.

"When the symptoms started, I didn't consider I had the condition, because
it wasn't something I associated with young people. But by the time I was
diagnosed, I knew more about it, and I wasn't overly surprised.

"I was 40 when I was diagnosed. They say life begins at 40. Well mine
certainly changed."

But as the mother of a four-year-old son, Marjorie knew she could not let
Parkinson's take over her life.

She said: "I cope by eating lots of chocolate to keep my spirits high. And
although I may not be able to walk as far as I used to, depending on the
levels of medication in my body, I can have good times and bad times.

"But I am still determined to get out there and enjoy myself. I think
Parkinson's has helped me realise how important it is to do want you want
with your life."

Marjorie is a member of the Peterborough branch of the Parkinson's Disease
Society.

Her friend Jill Normington, of Southoe Road, near Farcet, near
Peterborough, is the branch secretary.

Grandmother-of-three Jill (59) first became aware something was wrong about
10 years ago when she kept tripping up. She also had pain in her right
shoulder.

She said: "There were other little things that made me realise something
wasn't right. I couldn't write as quickly as I used to, and when I spoke it
felt like my speech and thoughts were out of sync.

"I went to the doctor's, and the problem was there weren't any specific
tests for Parkinson's. They diagnose it by eliminating other things. I had
lots of tests and an MRI scan at Addenbrooke's Hospital, and then in May
1997 I was told I had Parkinson's. In a way, it was a relief to know what
was wrong. At least it meant I could do my own research and find out more
about the condition and how I could manage it.

"I got in touch with the Parkinson's Disease Society, and it was the best
thing I ever did, because the charity was able to provide me with a wealth
of information."

Jill said she manages her symptoms with drugs and said without her
medication she would not be able to function as well as she does.

She said: "There are two schools of thought. Some neurologists say you
should stay off the drugs for as long as possible until you really can't
function without them, but others say that you should take them to give you
a better quality of life now.

"I have three grandchildren, Callum (8) Savannah (6) and three-month-old
Flynn, and I want to enjoy my life now.

"It takes me a couple of hours to get started in the mornings. I can't walk
as far as I used to, and at times I slow up to a complete standstill. But I
can still get on with my life.

"It can be quite distressing when you are first diagnosed, but after the
initial shock you learn to cope and you can still do the things you want
and enjoy your life.

"Parkinson's definitely made me realise what is important in life."

Marjorie and Jill both attend a weekly tai chi class at Paston Church Hall
on Tuesdays, between 11.30am and 12.30pm, which was set up two years ago
specifically for people with Parkinson's.

The class is run by Sheila Lum, who trained in China and the UK.

She said: "Tai chi is good for balance and flexibility and is also very
calming and helps people to relax."

Grandmother-of-six Nita Pearmund (68), from Longthorpe, Peterborough, also
attends the class.

She said: "When I found out I had Parkinson's 10 years ago I was devastated
and really angry. I thought why me?

"But tai chi is great because it really improves your balance and it is
nice to meet other people who understand what you are going through."

A positive outlook on life from Pat
GRANDMOTHER-OF-TWO Pat Stott was diagnosed with Parkinson's about seven
years ago.
At first, she noticed a heaviness down the right side of her body and pains
in her elbow and arm.

A doctor referred her to a neurologist and tests revealed she had the
condition.

Pat (57), who lives in Bainton, near Stamford, said: "When the doctor said
I had Parkinson's, I remember saying 'that sounds terrifying', but he said
it needn't be and said the drugs were quite good these days and help to
control the symptoms.

"Unfortunately, these drugs can cause other problems, and about 12 months
ago I had to have an operation to have a new valve put in my heart because
of problems caused by the Parkinson's drugs I was taking."

Pat has been attending the tai chi class for Parkinson's sufferers since it
was set up two years ago and she wrote a poem to encourage other sufferers
to join the class.

She said: "Doing tai chi really helps improve balance and it relaxes you
too. It's also nice to chat to other people who understand the problems you
have."

Tai Chi
Does your body need a lift
Are you feeling all at sea?
Come and join us on a Tuesday
For a session of tai chi

'Gently does it' says our tutor
Go as far as you are able
Never push it to the limit
Just in case you feel unstable

We come in all shapes and sizes
Some are big and some are small
Some are thin but some are fatter
There's a place for one and all

Most of all we do enjoy it
Sharing hopes and fears as one
Even if it's just to chatter
Telling others what we've done

So if you feel a little jaded
Or you've had a recent fall
If you have a problem pulling up your knickers
Come and join us at the hall

Everything will be uplifted
Vanish all the stress and strife
No more need to take Viagra
Tired muscles spring into life

Thank you Sheila for your guidance
We do our best to follow you
It's not as easy as it looks
But we're guaranteed a laugh or two

Working to help sufferers
PETERBOROUGH has its own Parkinson's disease nurse specialist who works for
Greater Peterborough Primary Care Partnership (GPPCP).

Carolyn Noble sees patients in their own homes, in hospital clinics or GP
surgeries, in the workplace and often when people are admitted to hospital.

She carries out a full assessment of the individual's problems and how well
the carer is coping with living with the condition.

Her main role is to educate people on the effects on lifestyle, and a lot
of advice is aimed at promoting understanding and identifying ways for
people to help themselves manage the problems associated with it.

She also provides information and education to health and social care
professionals involved in managing the condition.

Carolyn also works with the Peterborough branch of the Parkinson's Disease
Society providing information days aimed at promoting practical help and
improving psychological support.

She not only sees people from Peterborough but also surrounding areas,
including Oundle, Stamford, the Deepings, Bourne, Wisbech, March and Chatteris.

She said: "I help people understand how their medication can help to
relieve the distressing symptoms of the condition and offer advice and
support to GPs.

"My role is to provide an effective link between the individual, the
specialist consultants and the GPs.

"Often, I am the first point of contact for the individual and I can steer
them towards the right services to meet their needs.

"We have an excellent team of professionals locally, including speech and
language therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, psychologists,
occupational therapists and dieticians, who can help in many aspects of
managing problems associated with Parkinson's.

"I particularly enjoy supporting carers and helping people to access
services locally, which may involve putting people in touch with others who
share similar difficulties."

 > Carolyn can be contacted on 01733 362806 for advice or information on
the condition.

 > The Peterborough branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society has been
running for 21 years and has up to 100 members from across Peterborough and
the surrounding area.
The branch has evening meetings on the last Wednesday of each month, at
Paston and Gunthorpe Community Centre, in Hallfields Lane, Paston,
Peterborough, at 7.30pm.
Bi-monthly morning meetings are also held at the Dane Memorial Village
Hall, in Alwalton, near Peterborough, between 10am and noon. There is also
the option of joining members for a pub lunch afterwards.

 > For more details, call chairwoman Hazel Black on 01733 370694, or branch
secretary Jill Normington on 01733 241021.

13 April 2005

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