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Parkinson’s was my secret: now they’ll all know By Sally Henfield A YOUNG man's struggle with a disease usually associated with the elderly has been documented in a television programme he wrote and co-directed himself. Michael Gibson's battle with Parkinson's disease will be highlighted in a Channel 4 documentary being aired tomorrow. Michael, from Tan House Lane, Great Harwood, was diagnosed with the progressive degenerative disorder at just 18. The illness targets the central nervous system leaving sufferers struggling with uncontrollable shaking and eventually destroying their ability to speak, walk and look after themselves independently. The 25-year-old, a former media student at Blackburn's St Mary's College, pitched the idea of filming his fight with the disease to Channel 4 and the resulting one-hour documentary, entitled All Shook Up - Parkinson's at 25, will be shown at 11pm. Michael said: "Having not told anyone about my illness for years and then letting the whole of the UK into my secret is a big thing, but it was always all or nothing. "I chose all, the story had to be told." One of Michael's main aims in making the documentary was to show that the disease is not just one that affects the elderly - a similar mission to that of Hollywood actor Michael J Fox, who was famously diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 30. Michael said: "I made the documentary for so many people who are suffering with an illness, and not just Parkinson's disease. It was my hope to inform and educate, raise awareness to eliminate ignorance and to let people look at their lives in a different way and appreciate what they have got. I know I do." Michael received a first-class honours degree in television production from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2004. He has also carved out a successful career as a television presenter, hosting MTV Select. Michael added: "Parkinson's has given me a lot of drive, it has never stopped me from doing anything." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn