Living with Parkinson's in Whanganui

November 3, 2017   By: Emma Russell

Community Educator Sue Tait has helped Kevin Speer continue doing what he loves. Photo/ Stuart 

As Kevin Speer zooms around Whanganui in his nifty golf cruiser it is hard to believe he suffers Parkinson's.

A condition he knew nothing about when he was diagnosed five years ago - but one he has learnt to live with thanks to Parkinson's Wanganui.

The 69-year-old still manages to play golf twice a week with his wife and uses specially designed walking poles to manage a lap around the block as often as he can.

But the movement disorder has dramatically impacted his lifestyle.

For Kevin it's his legs that have become the most stiff which makes it a challenge to mow the lawns, complete household chores for his wife and walk the golf course.

"But I haven't let it rule my life and getting out and about helps....so does my golf cruiser."

Kevin said he can get very lazy at times and it's easy to lose motivation but "I know it's good for me".

"Sometimes when I play golf I get tired in the sun and suddenly get very agitated and just need to be left alone...stress makes Parkinson's worse you see."

He said there needed to be more awareness about the condition because most people find out about it only after they or their loved one has been diagnosed.

"When I step on to the bus, nobody seems to have any idea that there is anything wrong with me."

Because Parkinson's affects the muscles, sufferers often don't show a lot of facial expressions and that can be difficult in social situations, Kevin said.

"They call it the mask of Parkinson's."

For the first week of November it's Parkinson's Awareness Week, aimed to educate the community and support those who are suffering.

The awareness week is being marked in Whanganui with a street appeal on Thursday, November 2 and Friday, November 3 from 10am till 4pm.

Collectors will be at Countdown at Trafalgar Square and Victoria Ave, New World on Victoria Ave and Mitre 10.

Parkinson's Wanganui community educator Sue Wilson said 2017 marked 200 years since Parkinson's was recognised as a medical condition.

"This awareness week we want to acknowledge 200 years of progress in understanding and treating Parkinson's but we also want people to know that 200 years is too long to wait for a cure."

There will also be a produce stall at the Rivercity Markets on Saturday and volunteers will be dressed in red.

Donations will be given to the local Parkinson's non-profit organisation to help the 70 people who suffer Parkinson's in Whanganui and their families.

What is Parkinson's?

A progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects the movement of the body. While it cannot be cured, it can be treated.

Who gets Parkinson's?

Around one in 500 New Zealanders have the condition. It is most common with older age groups - the average age being 59. People under 60 with Parkinson's are considered to have "early-onset Parkinson's".

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms for Parkinson's are characterised by both motor and non-motor.

Motor: Tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement.

Non-motor:
depression, fatigue, disturbance of normal sleep, lack
of sense of smell, constipation, trouble swallowing or speaking,
skin sensations and pain.

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