Oil disaster survivor is fighting Parkinson’s
Claire McNeill from Parkinson’s UK accepts cheque from Vince and Katie Swales
there currently is no cure. It affects 12,200 people in Scotland – which is around one in 350 adults.
Vince continued: “I was off work for four months before returning.
“All my workmates were informed and they have all been especially helpful and it continues to this day, although it has been very difficult to continue with my work.
“I am now considering my future as things have progressed. I no longer climb pylons and have ground-based responsibilities instead.
“My family and friends were all finally told, it was an extremely difficult time for us all but we have to take each day as it comes.”
In the same week Vince remembered his absent friends, his daughter Katie Swales (33) took a step into the unknown when she abseiled down the Forth Rail Bridge to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK, the UK’s leading charity supporting those with the condition. So far she Katie’s Forth Rail bridge abseil raised £3000 Katie and Vince Swales at Forth Rail bridge after the abseil
has raised more than £3000. Vince said: “Raising awareness is so important. So I am especially proud of Katie for taking this abseil on as she is not normally happy to even put her foot on to a step ladder.
“I cannot name everyone who has helped me although I hope they are all aware that I really appreciate their help.”
Katie, who lives in Perth, said: “I did the abseil to raise awareness of the condition and to support this amazing charity and their efforts to find a cure while showing my dad that I’m there for him – regardless of what Parkinson’s throws our way.
“I may not be able to control what is happening to him but I felt that I had to do something, and although going up there absolutely terrified me, I did it for him.
“As a family we were devastated [when we found out]. Dad has already overcome so much after surviving Piper Alpha.
“For another battle to present itself in the form of Parkinson’s to someone who had already experienced so much heartache was more difficult than I can describe.
“The past few years have been tough. Parkinson’s affects not just your physical health but your mental health too.
“Watching Dad refuse to give in is heart-breaking. But on the other hand, the courage and willpower he shows is testament to his character and makes us all so proud of him.
“I really couldn’t be any prouder of my dad for never giving up and continuing to have such good humour and bravery in the face of Parkinson’s.
“Thankyou so much to everyone who has helped raise crucial awareness by reading and sharing my Just Giving page.”
You can support Katie’s fundraising drive at www.justgiving. com/Katie-Swales1