The Cure is yet to come..

MmThis week I made the decision to join a group of people who are made up of people with Parkinson’s, loving care partners, relatives and friends. This group of people have been on BBC television, bearing all, risking everything in the pursuit of a revolutionary treatment of Parkinson’s Disease – yes.. I said treatment- something that did and has been shown to do much, MUCH more than just hide, mask and trick our brains from the inevitable… it’s degeneration and destruction of ‘us’. Period. In November I will be 39 and that’ll mean I’ve been living with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s for a decade.. FFS I was 29. I advocated, donated, raised money and now I even work for a Parkinson’s Charity… the cure is yet to come and so whilst I am here and can still move and do something to help my situation and that of those sadly yet to come, I joined the GDNF / Funding Neuro working party to help in any way I CAN. Some five years ago I met a wonderful person who wears her heart on her sleeve and was around well before ‘me’. She knows pretty much everything there is to know about living, doing and surviving with this ‘disease’. She also has a strong knowledge of the research and everything in between.

(P)erserverance and Positivity.

(A)dvocate (when required) and Antagonist when needed by the community.

(R)elentless in every way – will fight PD (if it has to be) to her final day.

(K)inetic – motivates others, moves me and knows what it feels like to keep moving.

(I)nspiring. Inspiring. Inspired .

(N)ever says “never again”, says “yes” if it means progress for those now and beyond.

(S)peaker. Shares her life to help others. See’s it. See’s the community of Parkinson’s as her own.

(O)ptimistic.

(N)ever give up fighting.

(S)upportive to the ultimate goal of a cure. Despite her advancing condition, as it gets harder for her, and despite the heartbreaking passing and loss of the of the man who epitomised the very meaning of optimism and hope (from where she still finds her motivation and strength) in the face of adversity, has continued in her efforts since with plans to do more every year i have known her.

Advocate: Vicki Dillon – thank you for your persistence and friendship – let’s kick it’s ass