April 15, 2016
Science cannot prove Dr
David Rendell's lifelong exposure to farm chemicals caused his Parkinson's
disease, nor can it provide any reason to dampen his life ambitions.
The veterinarian
absorbed this week's national media coverage of a potential
connection between chemical exposure and the degenerative disease
with a bemused hope.
As a teenager I waved
a flag for an aeroplane to spray paddocks with Paraquat [herbicide], and the
evidence is quite clear today that Paraquat is definitely linked to an increase
chance of Parkinson's.
Dr David Rendell,
veterinarian
That was when his left
leg started to drag and he lost dexterity in his left hand.
At that stage Dr
Rendell had been examining, diagnosing and solving health issues for decades.
He was credited with
ground-breaking research and has published dozens of articles in international journals.
But in a cold and
confronting meeting, a neurologist handed him a lifelong mystery that will
unlikely be solved in the veterinarian's lifetime.
"He wriggled my
arm for barely a minute, made a few notes, then looked up and said, 'You've got
Parkinson's and there's no doubt about it'," Dr Rendell said.
"He put his head
back down again and kept writing."
Links to chemical exposure unproven
A study released this
week by Monash University pointed to "a cluster of Parkinson's" in Dr
Rendell's region, where sales of Parkinson's medication was up to 78 per cent
higher than the average.
Researchers said
barley and pulse production was popular in the areas of concern, pointing to a
possible connection between chemical use and the disease.
It is unlikely Dr
Rendell will ever know the official cause behind his degenerative condition,
but the chemical associations are clear enough to raise alarm bells.
"I've certainly
been guilty of a cavalier attitude to chemicals," he said.
"As a teenager I
waved a flag for an aeroplane to spray paddocks with Paraquat [herbicide], and
the evidence is quite clear today that Paraquat is definitely linked to an
increased chance of Parkinson's.
"If you give
enough of it to mice, they'll get Parkinson's."
Cultural shift in farmers' chemical use
Dr Rendell said
farmers' attitudes toward chemicals had changed "dramatically" over
the past three decades, but cultural changes needed to continue.
"How many people
have drenched a mob of sheep in the last fortnight and put gloves on?" he
said.
"We allow
ourselves massive contact with these drench chemicals on a daily basis and
think nothing of it."
Despite some
"cynicism" at the fanfare over this week's dated research findings,
Dr Rendell said there was hope the attention would lead to vital research.
Farmer health centre leads early research
Dr Rendell's wife
happens to be the founding director of the Hamilton-based National Centre for
Farmer Health.
The centre is leading chemical
exposure research, by documenting the effects on farmers' nervous
systems over 12 months.
Scientists hope it
will provide a concrete base for research into the long-term impacts, possibly
mapping the observed links between degenerative conditions like Parkinson's and
aggressive cancers.
Dr Rendell is also
involved in research examining whether exercise can improve the symptoms of
Parkinson's.
The 59-year-old is
convinced of the benefits, and boasts the title of 'Hamilton park runner of the
month' to prove it.
"I've now participated,
with my partner Sue, in 19 [runs]," he said.
"I've gone from a
shuffler to almost pass myself off as a runner."
Gaps in knowledge liberating
The gaps in knowledge
about Parkinson's disease are obviously frustrating for a man of science, but
they are also quite liberating.
When neurologists tell
Dr Rendell he should stop doing the things he loves, he simply stops seeing
them.
His first one lasted a
single visit.
"He counselled me
strongly about doing any public speaking," Dr Rendell said.
"His view was
that it would make me anxious and accelerate the symptoms.
"My view is that
there's not much evidence that is correct, and that I enjoy what I do and to
hell with his patronising comments."
When the next one
expressed "downright cynicism" at Dr Rendell's belief in the benefits
of exercise, he went too.
Disease masks an animated life
A first encounter of
Dr Rendell reveals nothing of a man suffering a degenerative condition.
His words might be
spaced and his leg might jiggle under the desk, but to a stranger he presents
as a thoughtful professional.
Only those who know
and love him can appreciate the changes.
Animated tales are now
told deadpan. An outspoken personality has been reined in.
"I guess it's
caused me to pause and think a bit ... and I think it's taken some of the sharp
edges off my personality," he said.
"There has been
some benefits, but hey, I'd prefer the prickly David Rendell without
Parkinson's."
Renowned in his field,
Dr Rendell continues to travel across Australia presenting research findings
and advising peers.
On most days the new
grandfather can be found in a paddock, arm-deep in the midst of impregnating
cattle, performing autopsies or testing for diseases.
Nearly a decade on
from his diagnosis, he still keeps tabs on a list of research sites.
But the obsession for
answers has faded.
"I know I'm not
going to get better," he said.
"We're all going
to go back to dust; I'm determined to travel the journey with dignity and with
pride.
"If people can be
inspired by that, that's the greatest legacy I could ever leave."
Topics: agricultural-crops,
agricultural-chemicals,
parkinson-s-disease,
occupational-health-and-safety,
veterinary-medicine,
hamilton-3300
http://health.einnews.com/article/321583364/Gv9lcnBBWEZ1LqKW
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