Lifestyle // Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2016 – My #Parkinsonsin1

As I blogged on Monday, this week is Parkinson’s Awareness Week *fanfare* It’s the little things in life which can make a big difference to a Parkinson’s sufferer and this week Parkinson’s UK is encouraging people to share the one thing which helps them to deal with the condition. Parkinson’s sadly affects and impacts my family everyday so I thought I’d share with you the little thing that makes a big difference to me – my #Parkinsonsin1

Take That – Patience

Whilst I was a mega fan back in the day, I’m not really a fan of Take That 2.0! One thing I will be eternally grateful for though is their song Patience. I have always been one of the most impatient people in the world – a typical born and raised Londoner, I’m that person ducking and diving down the street to get where I need to go quickly, and heaven help you if you get in my way! However one good thing that has come out of my experience of Parkinson’s is I have finally learnt some patience – and I’m much better for it – both in helping support my relative, and in my day to day life.

Parkinson’s can affect movement so sufferers may take much longer to do the simplest thing or even freeze up completely. But why should that bother me? It may be slightly frustrating to not be able to walk somewhere as quickly as I would if I were on my own but think how frustrating it must be to not be able to move as quickly as you once could or sometimes not be able to move at all. The last thing you would want is to feel hurried or – even worse – a burden and inconvenience. A quick croon of Take That and I’m reminded that patience is a virtue and one that can make all the difference to somebody with Parkinson’s. My family and I also sometimes sing it at each other as a light reminder if someone is not being terribly patient! Life’s not all about getting somewhere quickly, it’s about the journey it takes to get there. Relax, have patience and smile – the world is a lot nicer place.

If you’d like any more information on Parkinson’s do check out the Parkinson’s UK website – www.parkinsons.org.uk They have huge amounts of useful and user friendly information on what the condition is and how it can take affect. They also offer amazing support networks – both online and IRL – for sufferers and their families, so you can be sure that no one has to face Parkinson’s alone.

You can see what others see as the one thing which makes a difference to their experience with Parkinson’s by following #Parkinsonsin1 across social media.

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P.S – I definitely don’t claim to know everything about Parkinson’s or what those with Parkinson’s go through. I am purely drawing from mine and my family’s knowledge and experience of this condition, and the help that Parkinson’s UK have given us.