Women Share Personal Experiences Living with Parkinson's Disease
Living with Parkinson's Disease: A Journey of Adaptation
Emma, a resident of Sydney who once enjoyed a life filled with travel and adventure, now finds herself learning to adapt to a new reality - Parkinson's Disease (PD).
Born and raised on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Emma's early years were spent immersed in school life near the beach, dreaming of a career as a flight attendant. Her passion for travel led her to join an international travel company in Sydney and eventually work in Europe for three summers. Upon her return to Australia, she spent a few years working at Flight Centre.
Marriage and two daughters, both aged 11 and 9, followed in Emma's life. However, just a couple of months after her honeymoon, 12 years ago, she began experiencing issues with her vision. A visit to her general practitioner revealed numbness and tingling sensations, recalling similar experiences from a few years prior. Her eye problems were ultimately diagnosed as optic neuritis, which led to a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis.
More symptoms emerged a couple of years ago, such as a shaking leg during a yoga class and a feeling of having to consciously move her leg while walking. Emma's left hand also became numb, and her left arm seemed to stop swinging while walking.
Ignoring her concerns, her MS neurologist advised her to disregard the symptoms. Desperate for relief, Emma sought help from a physiotherapist through MS Australia. After months with no improvement, she went back to her neurologist, who then diagnosed her with functional neurological disorder (FND).
The recommended treatments for FND were psychology and physiotherapy. Over the next 18 months, Emma's condition continued to deteriorate, progressing from a limp to a mobility scooter. She struggled with a tremor in her right hand, a fixed position in her left, and difficulties with writing, typing, and eating. However, she still managed to practice yoga and attend regular psychological sessions.
Emma's life took a turn when she sought a second opinion from another neurologist in October 2021. This expert diagnosed her with early-onset Parkinson's, prompting an immediate change in her prognosis. The new medications offered immediate relief, enabling Emma to walk with a limp instead of relying on a mobility scooter.
Since her recovery, Emma continues to face challenges in managing her condition. She has to learn to pace herself and avoid overexertion. Recently, she has experienced more pronounced off-periods, requiring her to carefully manage her medication schedule.
Emma advocates for medical research and is a long-term ambassador for MS Research Australia. She participates in a local Parkinson's support group, finds online communities helpful, and has connected with another rare individual living with both PD and MS.
"Living with PD is like battling a relentless beast," Emma reflects. "It's ever-changing, with ups and downs. Compared to my past experiences in busy kitchens cooking for crowds across Europe, this journey is far more challenging mentally. But I'm determined to make peace with this beast and continue to fight alongside the strong and supportive community of Parkinson's patients."
- Emma's medical-conditions, initially diagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS), led her to a new diagnosis of functional neurological disorder (FND) before receiving a late-diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) in 2021.
- Despite the constant challenges of managing her neurological-disorders and navigating the ups and downs of her health-and-wellness journey, Emma remains dedicated to her career and advocacy in medical research, acting as a long-term ambassador for MS Research Australia.
- Emma has expressed her opinion that living with PD is like battling a relentless beast, emphasizing the mental struggle that exceeds the physical challenges she faced in her previous career in the hospitality industry.
- Emma's story encapsulates the need for expanded medical research in understanding women's health, neurological-disorders, and health-and-wellness, as she strives to adapt to her new reality and finds support and camaraderie within the Parkinson's community.
