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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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn