Parkinson’s: sharing info helps
Superwalk fundraiser coming up in Pictou County Sept. 9
Jack Marshall was driving his car along Pleasant Street in Stellarton several years ago, and stopped at a stop sign. Then something odd happened.
“I didn’t know why I was there or what I was doing,” he said.
That was the first of several similar incidents. “My memory wasn’t functioning,” said the New Glasgow resident, and his wife Judy added that around the same time he also began shuffling his feet when walking.
“You don’t know what to expect, but talking to other people, you don’t feel so much alone.” Jack Marshall
After seeing his doctor to figure out what was happening, he was sent to a neurologist, who diagnosed him with Parkinson’s disease.
That was about three years ago. In the time since, living with the condition has been challenging, but he’s found that joining a support group in New Glasgow has helped.
“You don’t know what to expect, but talking to other people, you don’t feel so much alone,” he said.
Joe LeBlond, also of New Glasgow, joined the Pictou County Parkinson Support Group about four years ago, and said he’s learned a lot from other people who have Parkinson’s, because he didn’t know much about the disease when he was first diagnosed.
He received the diagnosis seven years ago, after first experiencing some difficulty with walking. Later, he noticed he wasn’t swinging his right arm when walking. “I knew something was wrong.”
Eventually, he lost complete control of his right hand – not being able to sign his name on cheques and no longer being able to build furniture, a favourite pastime.
His wife Barb said it helps to share information with others who are facing similar situations. “Some people talk about what is happening with them. They can have the same symptoms, but different. You think yours is worse until you hear another person’s story.”
The group of about 30, which includes people who have Parkinson’s and their spouses, meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month at the Superstore community room (except July and August).
Group facilitator Josephine Jollymore, who joined with her late husband Gordon in 2000 after finding out he had Parkinson’s, said it’s helpful to know “someone really cares and is going through the same things as you are.”
Jollymore is also one of the organizers of the Pictou County Parkinson SuperWalk, which will take place Sept. 9. The event raises funds for support services, research, advocacy and education, and is the largest nationwide fundraising event for Parkinson Canada.
“The mission is to ease the burden and find a cure,” she said.
“They’re making strides. Each year they’re finding out more and more.”
Jack Marshall said it’s sometimes difficult to accept that no cure exists, but he’s hopeful one will be found.
To participate in the Parkinson Superwalk or make a donation, visit parkinsonsuperwalk.ca.