Personal Stories
Newly diagnosed, Peter rallies support for Parkinson’s
Peter Brown was A Walk in the Park 2024 top individual fundraiser, newly diagnosed and inspired to join the community and raise awareness with family and friends. Read more…
Richard Grimmett’s Young Onset Story
At the time, he was working as a funeral director in Ocean Grove. Given that Richard’s father, uncle and brother had previously been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he and his wife Heather were able to spot the symptoms early. Since Parkinson’s was already familiar to them, they found some degree of… Read more…
Drew James’ Young Onset Story
Andrew (Drew) James is a fighter on many levels and his life experiences leave you asking how much adversity can be levelled at one person. But Drew is also a survivor and as he tells it, Parkinson’s gave him the strength to fight his other battles. Read more…
Sibling relationships after life-changing diagnosis
Parkinson’s is a progressive condition for which there is no cure. So how can adult siblings help support a loved one on their journey? Shepparton’s Sue Normington shared her family’s story as a 27forParkinson's ambassador. Read more…
Life after rare disease diagnosis
Just four years after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Pauline Wiltshire was re-diagnosed with a rare progressive neurological condition that saw her “face mortality for the first time in my life” and re-set her life for a new journey. Read more…
The rollercoaster ride of Young Onset Parkinson’s
As the world grappled with a global pandemic, it wasn’t COVID that rocked Mandy Baker’s world in December 2020. It was her diagnosis of Parkinson’s, the world’s fastest growing neurological condition, at the age of just 49. Read more…
Ex-navyman’s Parkinson’s battle
John Young has been involved in some of the most tragic events of recent world history. Read more…
Helping a parent through Parkinson’s
Patty Mayne and Lorena Bazzano share their story in honour of their much-loved Dad Sebastiano. Read more…
My hope for the future
Most people think of Parkinson’s as an older person’s disease, but it actually affects 10-20% of people under the age of 50yrs when diagnosed. Read more…
GEOFF TAKES OFF AFTER LOCKDOWN
In a parallel universe, Geoff Constable would this month have been throwing himself into the Yarra River, as an entrant in the iconic Moomba Birdman Rally. Read more…
Belinda’s Life Changing Diagnosis
A Parkinson’s diagnosis led Belinda Zipper on a lifechanging journey to live true to herself and let free the feelings she had suppressed for so long. She shares her story: Read more…
How life changed through my father’s MSA diagnosis
As Fleur Salisbury discusses how life changed leading up to, and following her father’s Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) diagnosis, she apologises for her frustration. But she is not alone. Read more…
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For the Love of Mum - Raising Awareness of PSP
Many of us dream about being ‘lucky’ enough to win Tattslotto. The chances are so slim, but there is chance. But what if those odds are reversed? It’s how a PSP diagnosis was described to the Manolitsas family – like winning Tattslotto, but in reverse. Read more…
Covid Travel Tale
Most of us are familiar with the saying, ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. This describes perfectly what Dave and Jill Price did when COVID restrictions forced them to cancel their Queensland winter escape. Instead, they set about planning a virtual holiday that took them on a journey around the world – all from the comfort of their own home. Read more…
Time to smell the roses
Pam West was diagnosed in 2013 with Parkinson's and describes Fight Parkinson’s as her 'White Knight'. Read more…
Staying two steps ahead
Each day I ask myself “Where am I at today?" Read more…
Learning to never give up
"Being a carer was the hardest job of my life, but we learnt to never give up" Read more…
Holding on to my dream
Judy Phelan shares her story of hope as she prepares for her fifth A Walk in the Park. Read more…
This is my smile!
Ester was diagnosed with Parkinson's just over two years ago at 47. This year, Ester is an ambassador and together with her family, the face of A Walk in the Park 2016. Read more…
Cruising along
A Parkinson's diagnosis can be life-changing, but it doesn't mean you have to give up travelling. Read more…
A love that lasts a lifetime
Some stories are so powerful, they stay with you forever. Elaine and Jonathan’s story of love and companionship is one of them. Read more…
Out of the blue
Clare felt that being diagnosed with Parkinson’s came out of the blue. When she began to experience tremors, Clare visited her GP who referred her to a neurologist. Read more…
Being Young at Park
Karyn Spilberg was a primary school teacher prior to being diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s in 2002. Diagnosed at age 44, Karyn immediately began an ongoing quest to help other people living with Young Onset Parkinson’s. Read more…
Up for the challenge
When Kaye Berndt participates with family and friends at Federation Square this month in her first A Walk in the Park, it will be a double celebration. Read more…
Losing the Parkinson’s mask
Shane has sky dived and jumped off buildings to fundraise for Parkinson’s, but on 30 August he undertook an even bigger personal challenge – running 4kms in 20 minutes for the annual A Walk in the Park. Read more…
The double-blow
Few people manage to squeeze as much into a life and a career as Mike Atkinson. So, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three years ago, the inevitable slow-down of pace could have been a double-blow. Read more…
Something wasn’t right
Jill Goss has been living with Parkinson’s for 15 years, but few people who meet her would actually know that she is. When the 75-year-old takes to the stage with her actor son Shane Jacobson, and her daughter Natalie Porter, to conduct the warm-up session at the annual Fight Parkinson’s A Walk in the Park in Melbourne, her vitality shines above all else. Read more…
Still going strong
Every person's Deep Brain Stimulation journey is unique. This is Peter's. Peter was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2001, aged 53. Read more…
Geoff’s new direction
Geoff’s diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson’s in 2013 delivered an answer to a raft of symptoms that had been troubling him for years. He didn’t present with any of the classic symptoms and with no test yet available for Parkinson’s, it took some time to confirm the condition. Read more…
Jenny’s mob
During the three years since Jenny was diagnosed with Parkinson's she has found herself surrounded by a community support network that has made her life more tolerable and has revealed the generosity of the human spirit. Read more…
Grant’s life takes off
Grant was just 39 years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He found himself constantly lethargic, enduring sleepless nights and with no explanation for his trembling hands or why his arm no longer swung when he walked. Read more…
Terry, Helen and Anne
Often seen around Camberwell on his scooter, Terry is a local ambassador for Parkinson’s. Read more…
Paula, Gary and Owen
Paula has been living with Young Onset Parkinson’s since 2008. Read more…
John and Julie
John and Julie have supported each other and assisted friends diagnosed with Parkinson’s since John was diagnosed 15 years ago. Read more…
Jill, Natalie and Alice
Since being diagnosed over 12 years ago, Jill has been able to live life to the fullest, surrounded by the love and support from her daughter Natalie, granddaughter Alice and other family members. Read more…
Fred and Christine
Fred and Christine have been on the Parkinson’s journey together since Fred’s diagnosis in 2003. Read more…