My father died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 70. He never saw the end of 2020. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s over 15 years ago. It proved to be a very long and cruel illness for both him and my mother, who by default became his main and only carer.  

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition. It causes the nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls movement to become impaired and die. A person with Parkinson’s can experience a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, balance problems, memory problems, depression and hallucinations to name just a few. The disease affects not only the person who has it, but also those who care for them. 

Parkinson’s Care and Support UK aim to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s. They help not only those who suffer from the condition, but also their carers who are often faced with very challenging situations and who are often overlooked. Parkinson’s goes beyond affecting just the person living with the disease and this is why support and help offered by Parkinson’s Care and Support Charity UK is so vital for those affected by the condition. 

Sadly due to COVID restrictions and a large distance between us I am unable to attend my father’s funeral. Instead to commemorate my father in my own way I decided to set myself a challenge of running 150 miles throughout January 2021. One of the things that my father taught me was to look for positives even in the worst of situations. I am going to motivate myself by channeling my grief into becoming a better and stronger runner. RIP dear father. 

Your donation will make a huge difference to someone affected by the disease. The kind of support I wish my mother and father could have had...

Thank you for reading my story.

Love,

Masha xxx