November 5, 2017, As told to Emily Cope
Retired police officer Heidi Reynolds, 41, lives in Cornwall with her husband Martin, 52, also a retired police officer.
Heidi with husband Martin who has supported her through her illness
“As I drove past the train station, I couldn’t help but feel jealous as I watched stressed-out commuters jostle their way through the turnstiles. While most people would hate such a hectic daily grind, I’d have given anything to be part of it. But now it was just another painful reminder of my former life as a sergeant in the Metropolitan Police.
When I started getting shoulder pain in 2008, I had no idea how ill I was. I assumed I’d injured myself at the gym, so I had some physio, but the pain kept getting worse. I didn’t see my GP until January 2010, and over the next two years I endured a barrage of tests, surgery and misdiagnoses. In 2012, I was told I had nerve damage, which could only be controlled with painkillers.
Heidi likes to keep fit by hitting the gym three times a week
A week later, I saw my GP and was finally referred to a neurologist. When I looked up the specialist online, I was stunned to discover that her area of expertise was Parkinson’s disease. I’d thought it only affected the elderly, but as I read the list of symptoms – tremors, rigid muscles, impaired balance – my blood ran cold. It was as though someone had written down exactly what I’d been experiencing for the past five years.
Finally, in July 2014, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I was told I would have the same life expectancy as the average person, but the disease is degenerative and has no cure. It’s not known what causes the condition, but researchers believe it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Heidi pictured before her symptoms started nine years ago
I felt utterly helpless. All I could think about was what type of future I would have. Martin was upset, but vowed to support me through everything. I allowed myself a few days of tears and self-pity, but then decided the best way to live with the disease was to put all my energy into fighting it. I was determined to stay as fit as I could, going to the gym five times a week, as I’d learned exercise helps protect the dopamine-producing nerve cells that are lost in Parkinson’s.
However, the disease still affects every aspect of my life, especially my memory. Every night, I write my plan for the next day on a whiteboard – what time to have breakfast, when to do the washing, if friends are coming round – otherwise I’ll forget. I also have to eat soft foods because my throat muscles no longer work properly.
Heidi has taken up paddle boarding
In October 2015, I made the heartbreaking decision to retire, as work became too much. Now I spend my time with Martin or my friends, going to the gym or being active around the house. We never planned to have kids, which has made life easier.
One day I won’t be able to walk, eat or do simple tasks on my own, and that terrifies me. Martin and I are future-proofing our house as much as possible – for example, we’ve built a bathroom downstairs. But I refuse to sit in bed worrying. If I want to do something, it is now or never, which can be liberating. We’ve now moved from Essex to Cornwall, and I’ve even taken up paddle boarding. I’m determined to live my life to the full as long as I can.”
Heidi maintains her fitness through Les Mills classes (Lesmills.com)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4814365/brave-ex-cop-reveals-tragic-story-of-parkinsons-diagnosis-at-37/
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