Marguerite Chadwick hit the ground running after being diagnosed with Parkinson's and has been instrumental in getting a full time specialist for Wairarapa.
Marguerite Chadwick remembers having a bit of a sore throat and some difficulties doing things she normally did easily.
Slowly something was creeping up on her but she thought maybe she was overtired and rundown.
"I remember noticing my handwriting had gotten a bit scrawly but thought it was just me being lazy. I ended up having problems drinking water and went to a throat specialist and eventually was told to see a neurological specialist."
A Wairarapa ukulele group entertains Parkinson's Wairarapa people. Music has been a key tool in new styles of treatment.
Chadwick was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011.
Many see it as the beginning of the end.
But for the Carterton resident it was the beginning of a personal effort to increase services and support for those affected by Parkinson's in Wairarapa and the wider country.
"Initially I had to get treatment in Lower Hutt which meant travelling there several times a week. I thought we needed better options in Wairarapa.
"In the end, through myself and others pushing for it, Parkinson's Wairarapa was able to convince the DHB a treatment specialist was needed at Masterton Hospital."
Through research she found other treatment options were available. Argentinian tango lessons and choir groups had been successful in New Zealand and internationally.
"Both are related to keeping people active and giving them a social outlet, which is a really key part of managing Parkinson's. The social aspect is really important as are the people who support us.
"Nurse Jane Flowerday is a real help and it is great to have someone who really cares working with us. Also new coordinator Julia Mahony has been very effective in helping us push our plans through with the choir and other things."
Mahony said Chadwick's drive to improve things had been a huge boost.
"She is amazing. Her personality is so dynamic. She decided Parkinson's was not going to hold her back and is really creative about ways to stay on the go and live well with Parkinson's."
Chadwick's infectious enthusiasm has helped to focus the organisation's efforts and they are proud to now offer help to more than 100 Wairarapa families.
"We are a self-funded organisation. t. We offer support for those directly effected by the disease and also to carers and family members as well, so any help is appreciated."
* Wairarapa Parkinson's has a givealittle page.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/86315513/carterton-woman-taking-action-to-change-perceptions-around-parkinsons-disease
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