Gym owner gives Parkie the boot
James Nicolle has a mantra – Kick Parkie’s Ass – and it sums up his attitude to life quite nicely.
Parkie is his name for Parkinson’s disease, which struck him at age 50, derailing a successful IT career.
Forced to retire, he was determined not to give up and recently opened Kick Parkie’s Ass, a gym to help others living with the condition.
Most people associated Parkinson’s with the shakes, but in his case it was more about losing the ability to do simple tasks.
‘‘Putting on socks, moving in bed, getting out of the car, tying shoes laces, putting on a jacket, doing up buttons, forgetfulness, confusion, the list goes on and on.’’
Parkinson’s is a disease that messes with his mind. ‘‘When the daily tasks of life become so challenging, it is little wonder that Parkie loves to play the D for Depression card. It is a constant grind and it never goes away.’’
The Lower Hutt resident admitted to having dark thoughts. ‘‘People can see the physical symptoms, but there are other symptoms. People become depressed and can’t sleep. I was very depressed.’’
When he was diagnosed with the disease he was fortunate to have a good employer, Spark, and insurance helped financially.
The 56-year-old said the disease effectively left him with two choices – either let it take hold and become more depressed, or fight back. The first step in fighting back was qualifying as a personal trainer. Exercise helps sufferers and he spent five years working with personal trainer Kat Lillyston.
Parkinson’s New Zealand recommends between 20 and 30 minutes of physical activity daily. It delays the progress of the disease and maintains strength and flexibility.
Working with Lillyston, he set up a trust delivering exercise programmes for free but then established a boutique gym in his garage.
Parkinsons New Zealand chief executive Deidre O’Sullivan said the gym was ‘‘unique’’ in that it was being run by a Parkinson’s sufferer. ‘‘From our perspective, it is very exciting to have someone with Parkinson’s taking a leadership role.’’
New Zealand was involved in ‘‘world leading research’’ which showed exercise was helpful beyond providing cardio fitness and flexibility. Medication only dealt with the symptoms and there was no cure, she said.
Nicolle provided specific exercises for individual sufferers, including Jason Warren.
The 56-year-old developed Parkinson’s at 50 and found it frustrating. ‘‘I can’t do buttons up or write properly and my whole body just shakes.’’
Nicolle said it was important that people like Warren did not give up. His dream was to make Kick Parkie’s Ass an international franchise.
‘‘When the daily tasks of life become so challenging, it is little wonder that Parkie loves to play the D for Depression card.’’ James Nicolle