Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

So this is where the standard blurb normally sits and I always scroll through without a second thought. So I won’t blame you if you do the same!

Anyone who knows me, will be well aware that I have tendency to use ten words where one would do, so I’ll try to keep this as short as possible-no promises as remember this is me we’re talking about!

In September of 2021, I noticed a tremor in my left hand. Being right handed this was little more than slightly irritating and odd. So I left it for a while thinking it would go away also not great at going to docs myself, but expert at telling other people to! So to cut what’s been at times an emotional, scary and surreal 18 month journey short, following consultant appointments, MRI and DAT scan (dopamine transporter) I received a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in April 2022.

For many of my friends, this is old news but to those of you I don’t see often, it may come as somewhat of a surprise. I have tried to tell people as I’ve gone along but I’ve been conscious of putting people in an awkward position. Let’s face it, what do you say?! I have lost count of the number of times people have said, ‘but you’re far too young!’ Words that at my age haven’t been heard for many years! Trust me to get an old person’s disease has often been my response. The sad reality is anybody at any age can be affected and the cause is still unknown.

So the facts are it’s a degenerative and currently incurable disease. But on a more positive note, no one can tell when and how quickly the degeneration will happen. Every case is very different. I remain determined at this stage to concentrate on what I can do here and now rather than focus on what may happen in the future. Since the start, I have been supported by Parkinson’s UK, hence the reason for my fundraising efforts.

Almost a year on from diagnosis, I am now ready to proactively face the future. Fundraising will involve a number of events-more info to follow. Katherine and Jayk will be completing National Three Peaks in August and we’re hoping to accompany them up Snowdon. But for now we have kicked off the fundraising by sponsoring Jayk to brave the North Sea in Suffolk on New Year’s Day-brave man?! Plenty of other plans so will post as we go along.

My family and friends have been nothing short of amazing and for that I am beyond grateful ❤️❤️

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sharon xx