Jim

My diagnosis wasn't a shock to me as "I saw it coming"!

As a back pain sufferer, I've been attending Physiotherapists on and off for some years now and a visit to my physiotherapist about 2 years ago, Stephen, my Physio, asked me questions like, "how's your handwriting?, have you noticed any changes?"

Aware that my writing had deteriorated, I went a little defensive saying that I am writing much less since I retired! When we discussed his observations he said that he had noticed that I was a little slower in my movements and whilst  he didn't want to alarm me, he got me to do some writing and that we should review in 6 months and then it may be time to see my GP etc.

Before the 6 months was up , I had to visit my GP and brought him up to speed with "developments". Like my Physio, he said that my symptoms, could be Parkinson's but felt he should refer me to a Neurologist to confirm or dismiss.

That was June 2018 and my Neurologist confirmed that I did have all the signs of the "early signs" of Parkinson's. 

So as I said, it didn't come as a shock as I was slow in moving, turning and the balance could have been better. (Furthermore I was very unsteady even after 2 pints!!!).

I told my brother and sister  and we joked about my father and his brother who had the "shakes" and my father was convinced that the older brother, the oldest and a bachelor to boot was shaking the cup on the saucer on purpose...nobody mentioned Parkinson's in those days!!!

My 2 sons were abroad, (the eldest on San Francisco, and the other in Winchester, UK) when I got the news and I was anxious to tell them ASAP.  Once I was  able to reassure them that I was fine, positive and that they wouldn't notice anything if they saw me "now". I also told Jamie, my youngest, that "OUR" plan to play golf with him when I 'm 80 was still on. 

Mags (my wife), sister Liz together with their wonderful wives reassured them also.

Through Lizzie, Jamie's wife, Sue got to hear of "my story"  and so Muscle Activation’s "announced itself" to me. 

I had a couple of sessions with Sue and felt the "activations" helpful. 

Over time the regularity of doing the "activations" faded a little, my tablets were changed and I felt much more mobile and was  less stiff.

That was October 2019 and then in early January 2020 news of the Pilot Study on Unlocking Parkinson's.

I really found the pilot study beneficial and because we were together for 4 days , getting daily activations, feeling the benefit as the days progressed and most importantly the follow up by Sue and Douglas, the videos etc.

Furthermore the "lockdown"has opened a new door with the Zoom meetings and this was also a further reminder to keep doing the exercises DAILY.

 I am delighted to say that I haven't missed a day's  (77days) Activations (morning) since the Pilot Study and feel better every day as a result!