Meet John Pepper, who ‘walked off Parkinson’s

September 30, 2016

Pepper to visit Parry Sound, October 13

PARRY SOUND - John Pepper, from South Africa, is stopping in Parry Sound on Oct. 13, as part of his world tour to meet with fellow Parkinson disease sufferers and speak about his unique way of managing Parkinson’s symptoms. 

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear. Currently there is no cure and some people live with Parkinson’s for years

Pepper, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1992 when he was 58, has spent the past 13 years travelling the world promoting his non-medical technique of managing Parkinson’s symptoms.

After being diagnosed, Pepper took up the challenge of managing his symptoms by focusing his mind on his walking action. This has changed the neurological pathways in his brain, corrected the typical Parkinson’s shuffle, and reduced his hand tremors.

“After some difficult years of trial and error my symptoms have become less obvious,” Pepper said. “I have not needed to take any medication or see a neurologist for the past 13 years and I am now at the stage where, despite having had Parkinson’s for almost 25 years, the symptoms are barely noticeable.”

Pepper is not claiming to be “cured” of Parkinson’s, rather wants to share his story about how he is able to lead a relatively normal life today, despite having Parkinson’s. His positive attitude and determination to stay ahead of this terrifying condition highlight a new approach to dealing with Parkinson’s.

Pepper’s success has recently been highlighted by renowned Canadian psychiatrist, Dr. Norman Doidge who, in his latest book The Brain’s Way of Healing, dedicated a chapter to Pepper’s management technique and discusses the neuroplasticity of the brain.

Pepper hopes to change the way that patients view Parkinson’s disease and believes there is no reason why the majority of Parkinson’s patients cannot continue to live a fairly normal life.

Pepper will be at Canadore College, Parry Sound, on Oct 13, 6:30 p.m . There is no cost, admission by donation. For more information and to register, visit http://johnpepper.eventbrite.ca or call 705.746.9222

http://www.parrysound.com/news-story/6888002-meet-john-pepper-who-walked-off-parkinson-s-/