Parkinson's Disease

To mark national Parkinson's awareness week this week reporter Megan Reynolds spoke to a Woodford Green man about life with the condition.

Although it is most common among people over age 60, one in 20 of those diagnosed each year are under 40 and, as it is not a hereditary condition, it is often shocking news for sufferers.

Grandfather Derek Lester, 69, chairman of the Buckhurst Support Group for Parkinson's sufferers, was diagnosed with the condition seven years ago, when he noticed tremors in his right arm.

He said his first feeling was denial, "You think, it can't be me, it will go away', and it is a while before you really come to terms with the fact that you have got a progressive illness which is going to get worse, and you have got to make plans to cope with it."

Some people are unable to move when their muscles freeze, some experience such violent muscular tremors it wears down the bones, and other sufferers may not shake at all. It can affect a person's speech, their ability to swallow, and their sense of smell, taste and touch.

Mr Lester says it affects his balance, his ability to walk or stand for a long time, and he has tremors which come and go.

The disease affects the body more and more as time goes on, and Mr Lester and his wife Gabrielle, 68, moved from their home in Woodford Green where they had lived for 43 years, to a more accommodating house in Marlborough Drive, Clayhall, two years after his diagnosis.

He said: "Having been somebody who is active and sporty it was a bit of a blow when I began to find it difficult to get out of a chair. Simple things like getting dressed in the morning are a challenge."

The difficulty of accomplishing small tasks which most people take for granted, can make people with Parkinson's disease feel isolated and alone.

Mr Lester said: "If it wasn't for the support I am getting from my family in particular, and also my friends, it would be much more difficult. I imagine anyone on their own coping with Parkinson's without anybody must be in a living hell."

The Buckhurst Support Group gives people suffering from Parkinson's and their carers the chance to meet, share their experiences, discuss treatments and socialise.

Monthly meetings are attended by around 30 people from all over the area at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in Chigwell, thanks to the generosity of the police and the motivation of Julia Keogh from the Parkinson's Disease Society, Mr Lester said.

He added: "Part of the advantage of the group is that it makes you more positive in your behaviour when you see other people who are positive and overcoming their difficulties.

"People go for different reasons, some just want to know about the medication that is out there, and what is new. We sometimes have speakers - Parkinson's nurses, physiotherapists, reflexologists, speech therapists, and talk about anything that is likely to help people."

Medical research is always advancing, and people with the disease need to try different medications to find one suitable for them.

Mr Lester said stem cell research is the big hope for the future as, "They will, hopefully, be able to grow back the part of the brain that is missing, and stop Parkinson's from happening. All of these people who say stem cell research is wrong have obviously not got Parkinson's."

Although Mr Lester does not believe the cure will be found within his lifetime, he hopes there will be a breakthrough for others with the disease.

He said: "Having Parkinson's makes you live each day as if it is the last day of your life, you have to. A major thing you have got to do is retain your sense of humour, it is essential.

"You have to look on the bright side of life. I look to the blessings, rather than the difficulties. I have got two grandaughters who are amazing and they keep me smiling."