Steve Moss was diagnosed with Parkinson's in the prime of his life but he has refused to let the debilitating illness end his life
 |
| Dad with Parkinson's, Steve Moss, climbs Kilimanjaro |
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in his prime, dad-of-two Steve Moss, 42, vowed to grab life with both hands.
Here he tells his story:
AS I stood breathlessly on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the sense of elation was incredible.
Climbing the 5,895m peak had been a dream of mine. I could hardly believe I’d fulfilled it.
But the moment was also bittersweet, for the mountain I’d scaled was much more than a physical one...
Two years earlier, like most men of 37, I’d thought I was invincible - married with two kids, seemingly fit and health, with a passion for running and hill walking.
But I noticed that my right arm seemed to be dragging against my side when I ran.
 |
| Dad with Parkinson's vowed not to be beaten by illness |
I was exhausted too, but put that down to having small children and a busy job as a chartered engineer.
Eventually, I went to my GP. Within 24 hours, a specialist made the life-changing diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson’s .
It was a shock, although looking back, early signs were there, like a hand tremor whenever I was tired.
I didn’t know a lot about this degenerative neurological condition or what to expect.
I was told there was no cure, that symptoms progressed differently for everyone and experts had no idea why certain people develop the disease.
But I knew I couldn’t dwell on the fear that a cure wouldn’t come and my family would be forced to care for me.
Instead my wife Hannah and I decided to be pragmatic, taking steps such as moving into a bungalow.
Read more: Cure for Parkinson's in sight
I also vowed to embrace life - and my seven day mission to scale Kilimanjaro in 2013, before the chance was lost, was part of that.
It was a good thing, because since my trip, my symptoms have got considerably worse.
I have to take Levodopa, an artificial form of dopamine - the chemical lacking in the brain of sufferers - to control my hand and leg tremors.
Without it, I struggle with my balance, have very noticeable tremors and tend to limp.
It can lead to some strange looks in the street from people who think you’ve had too much to drink.
I’m also easily fatigued and describe myself as a “crap rechargable battery”, need to charge up frequently.
To start I tried to hide my Parkinson’s from colleagues. For the first 18 months, I’d quite literally sit on my hands to stop the tremor.
I worried about how I’d be perceived, if people would consider me incapable over doing my job.
But over time people started to suspect and I had to come clean, doing so just before my Kilimanjaro trip , adopting the mantra ‘accept-adjust-adapt’.
Sharing the truth was like a weight lifting.
 |
| Dad with Parkinson's, Steve Moss, climbs Kilimanjaro |
One way I’ve come to terms with my situation sharing my thoughts and feelings on Twitter, initially anonymously, under the ironic name @steadyhandsteve.
It’s been hugely cathartic.
I also started a blog and recently wrote an emotional letter to my ‘just diagnosed’ self.
It said: ‘I’m pleased to tell you that four years from now you live with Parkinson’s like many other suburban families with both parents juggling work; providing taxi services to the kids activities; time with friends; family time; nights out; fun; laughter.’
It also describes how part of my strength comes from a quotation Hannah found in a magazine, shortly after diagnosis, which reads: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
I’m determined to carry on dancing - and running, doing an annual 10k and even a marathon in my hometown of Nottingham.
And climbing mountains too. But like Kilimanjaro, I’m going to tackle them head on.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/i-37-married-two-kids-7765129?
No comments:
Post a Comment