Help and support for those with Parkinson's

The group is aimed at those who have Parkinson's Disease or anyone who cares for them.

Linda Fernando is new to our area but was quick to make a connection with the local branch which helped her settle in.

Linda, who is 55, and now lives in Cranston Avenue, was diagnosed in 2002 when it was noticed by other people that she was limping when she walked.

Her doctor struggled to pinpoint what was causing her health problems until she was referred to a neurologist. She has since learned that Parkinson's is a difficult condition to identify.

Linda has tremors, muscle stiffness, and restricted mobility, all of which has meant great changes in day-to-day life for herself and her partner of 30 years Phil Lee.

Other symptoms might include slowness of movement, depression, or slurred speech. People are usually diagnosed in their 60s, so Linda was young but thinks her medical background as a nurse meant she was more aware of what was happening to her.

Now the couple are urging others to join the local Parkinson's UK group and gain the benefit of sharing friendship and personal experience.

Linda said: "We hope more people with Parkinson's and their carers will join the group.

"For some reason, a lot of people with Parkinson's don't know of our existence, or even the existence of the national charity.

"They are often not told about the charity by their doctor or neurologist.

"But as soon as I joined Parkinson's UK I contacted them for a lot of information, contacts and so on, and got a lot of useful advice.

Hospitals do use a lot of Parkinson's UK resources, and the charity is involved in issues like having education officers to run training sesssions for people like GP's and nursing home staff."

Phil commented: "I find it helpful in terms of support.

"As a carer you have to adapt your lifestyle to what the person who has Parkinson's needs - for example, Linda used to be very active and liked horseriding two or three times a week, and even go out hiking in the outback. Because she can't do that now, so I can't do it either. You have a whole new outlook on life.

"Your life is like 24-hour caring.

"But we have this group of self-help people, there is support if people want to find out where we are and join us."

Linda added: "The people I meet don't necessarily talk a lot about Parkinson's. We have made some friends, and they are just friends...but there are some who have a similar kind of illness and similar problems to face, so there is the chance to talk about that."

The Bexhill Hastings and Rother group has 120 members and meets for exercise at Crowhurst Park (pictured), a hydrotherapy class, a monthly meeting at St Michael's church hall in Glassenbury Drive, and a regular pub lunch and get-together. For more information call Stuart Baker on 01424 754011.