Parkinson's sufferers 'feel like zoo exhibits' due to rudeness and hostility from the public

HELL: Susan Harbot of Horwich has has spoken out about living with Parkinson's Disease. 

by Tui Benjamin, Reporter

RUDENESS and hostility is making Parkinson’s sufferers “feel like zoo exhibits” when they leave their homes.

Horwich mother-of-four Susan Harbot said she has been forced to develop a tough skin to deal with misunderstanding of the condition.

The widowed 65-year-old has spoken out about the public humiliation she has been subjected to since her diagnosis nine years ago at the age of 56.

Parkinson’s UK research last week revealed more than half of sufferers in the North West say they have experienced hostility and rudeness

One in three sufferers have been stared at, a quarter have been mistaken for being drunk and 10 per cent have been laughed at in the street.

Mrs Harbot said: “I was getting up from a disabled seat on the bus, wearing my badge that states l have Parkinson’s, when a gentleman asked me if my badge was a reason or excuse for sitting in the disabled seat as ‘clearly there was nothing wrong with me’.

“The feeling of being completely misjudged stayed with me all day, it was horrible. I think the negative reactions upset my family more than they do me now.

“I have developed a tough skin over the years. I just wish people would show some common courtesy. Parkinson’s isn’t a reason or an excuse, it’s just what I have got.”

Parkinson’s – a progressive neurological condition – has no cure and the symptoms get worse over time.

The disease was responsible for the death of Mrs Harbot’s mother, Constance, when she was in her seventies and her two brothers Paul and David were diagnosed at 63 and 58.

Two years ago she was fitted with a brain stimulator to reduce her tremors, but this will not stop the degenerative illness from accelerating.

Mrs Harbot added: “I don’t think the public realise there are other symptoms than shakes – Parkinson’s takes a piece of your life.

“Slowness is another big symptom, as is fatigue. I have been asked if I can move any quicker. If I shake a lot of people get up and move away.

“My four daughters are fantastic, and it is horrible to know Parkinson’s could affect them. There is no known test for it.”

Parkinson’s affects 127,000 people in the UK and an estimated 14,000 in the North West – nearly two thirds of whom suffer from anxiety because of their condition.

Almost one in five of sufferers in the region said the fear of humiliation and negative reactions makes them feel trapped in their homes.

Professor David Burn, Parkinson’s UK clinical director and consultant neurologist, said: “It is devastating to see the added burden thoughtless reactions from the public are having on people with Parkinson’s.

“Patients I see in the clinic are already battling a myriad of neurological symptoms including anxiety, depression and insomnia.

“The last thing they need is to feel like a zoo exhibit when they step out of their front door.”

Parkinson’s UK has launched a campaign to urge the public to show kindness to people with Parkinson’s. For more information: go to upyourfriendly.com

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