Nadia’s heartache: Mum’s shock diagnosis
Nadia Sawalha reveals her mum’s shock illness and how her family is coping…
‘I know Parkinson’s well – because my father’s mother had it’
When best caught up with one of our favourite Loose Women, Nadia Sawalha, recently, she opened up about some devastating news.
The usually bubbly star was left heartbroken last month, when she discovered that her mum, Betty, has Parkinson’s disease.
Nadia, who lives next door to her elderly parents, found out during a conversation over the garden fence, when her mum admitted she had just been diagnosed with the degenerative brain condition. Betty had initially decided to go with her husband, Nadia’s dad Nadim, for an appointment at the doctor’s, because she feared he might have developed the illness.
But when they went through the symptoms, the doctor ruled it out.
Then Betty dropped a bombshell when she admitted, ‘I have six of them.’
Tests are still being run, but doctors have said they believe she is in the early stages – and nothing can be done for the 81-year-old.
Betty appears to have taken the upsetting revelation in her stride, but Nadia, 53, is clearly struggling.
‘I don’t know how I feel,’ the actress explained. ‘ We’re all still processing it. She’s being so pragmatic. We’re waiting to find out more. But mum’s a war baby. She’s so stoic.’
Tellingly, Nadia added, ‘I am worrying about it, but she’s not, so what can I do? I know Parkinson’s well – because my father’s mother had it.’
However, Betty has remained remarkably calm. ‘I went in a few days later and said, “Mum, how are you feeling?” She said, “What do you mean?” I said, “About the Parkinson’s.” And she replied, “I haven’t even thought about it! It is what it is.”’
The one thing keeping Nadia calm, she admits, is Betty’s incredible ability to laugh at the situation.
‘She said to me, “I’m 81. Something else will kill me before that does.” Then she had another gin and tonic!’