Chloe Kay and her dad Philip at her graduation from Durham University in 2017 (Image: Chloe Kay)
A determined daughter has bravely opened up on how a Parkinson's diagnosis has rocked her family. Philip Kay began struggling with his mobility and co-ordination, and found himself becoming increasingly fatigued.
The dad-of-two was diagnosed with Parkinson's - a progressive neurological condition for which there is no cure - in 2017 at the age of 55.
Daughter Chloe Kay, a former Durham University student, admits she hates running with a "passion". But the 23-year-old is preparing for her first Great North Run on Sunday as she bids to raise awareness of her father's condition, and the support available to affected families.
Chloe Kay, 23, who is doing the Great North Run to raise money for Parkinson's UK (Image: newcastle chronicle)
Chloe, who lives in Newcastle city centre , said: "I hope that my thirteen miles will bring us one step closer to finding a cure for Parkinson’s. "Having experienced first-hand the impact the condition has had on my father and how it affects him and my family, I am keen to raise money so that people with Parkinson’s can receive the support they need.”
Parkinson's is estimated to affect about 148,000 people in the UK, and there are more than 40 symptoms of the condition.
The most widely recognised of these is a tremor, and other symptoms include muscle stiffness, depression, anxiety, hallucinations and memory problems. Parkinson's affects those living with the condition differently, and Philip, now 57, suffered from several symptoms before medics were able to diagnose him.
Chloe said: "When he started getting ill, it was difficult for all of us, and he didn't understand why it was happening to him. "It took a long time for my dad to be diagnosed. In some ways it was good for our family because it meant my dad could start medication."Before then it just felt like he was getting worse and we didn't know why.
Chloe Kay, 23, who is doing the Great North Run to raise money for Parkinson's UK (Image: newcastle chronicle)
"I knew absolutely nothing about the condition before he was diagnosed. I never expected anything to happen to my dad at an age I consider young."Philip is now on medication to ease his symptoms, and Chloe says her dad has his good days and bad days living with the condition.
She added: "I've seen my dad slow down. His mobility has been impaired, and he does get tired more easily. He's had to cut down to part-time hours at work.
"It's definitely had an effect. He has his bad days and his good days. It's a constant battle and a mental one."
Insurance broker Philip has also dropped down to part-time hours at work, and is no longer able to drive as a result of his diagnosis.
Chloe believes the neurological condition is widely known but not fully understood by the public, and praised the support of charity Parkinson's UK following her dad's diagnosis.
She said: "I think people have heard of it, but I don't think many know the actual specifics of the condition.
"It's not always visible. Sometimes you don't believe a person can have that diagnosis. If my dad is on a good day, he is walking around fine and his tremors are under control.
"Parkinson's UK were amazing with providing us with so much support at a time I wanted to learn more about what they do and Parkinson's itself."
Chloe moved to Newcastle from her family home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, two years ago on the eve of the Great North Run.
Walking down to the Tyne Bridge to cheer on the thousands of runners taking part, she was inspired by her first experience of the world's most famous half marathon. Chloe said: "The Red Arrows came over, Sir Mo Farah ran past, and everyone was cheering. I thought maybe one day I would give it a go. "This is a bit of a shot in the dark because I could not even run 5k at the time."
Chloe has raised more than £800 so far on behalf of Parkinson's UK, and hopes her first attempt at the famous 13.1 mile route between Newcastle and South Shields will see donations break the £1,000 mark.
She finished: "Having experienced first-hand the impact the condition has had on my father and how it affects him and my family, I am keen to raise money so that people with Parkinson’s can receive the support they need.”
To read more about Chloe's and Philip's story and donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chloekayforparkinsonsuk
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/great-north-run-parkinsons-uk-16877538
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