I fully support Jeremy Paxman’s position in presenting the government with the Parky Charter and its five recommendations (Jeremy Paxman says Parkinson’s ‘makes you wish you hadn’t been born’, 11 April). I also agree with him that the charter will have “no effect whatsoever” on this cold and uncaring government (my words).
But I’m surprised and appalled by his statement that Parkinson’s disease “makes you wish you hadn’t been born”. I was diagnosed with the condition six years ago, and from what I’ve seen of Paxman (in his excellent documentary about Parkinson’s last year), I’m probably at a similar stage to him as the disease worsens.
I could never make such a bleak statement, nor have I ever heard that said by others with Parkinson’s. To say that would ignore a pretty good life before diagnosis, which on average happens in your 60s.
Getting Parkinson’s is not a death sentence; it is a sentence to continued deterioration, although there are drugs to help. But like all neurological or degenerative diseases, the pace of it worsening varies considerably with each person. Paxman’s grim statement may ring true for those hit worst by the condition, but certainly only a minority of people would see themselves like this.
Neil Brown
Duns, Scottish Borders
• I too was shocked, appalled and depressed when I was diagnosed. But a brilliant and kind neurologist said to me: “Once you have your team together, you can just about get your life back to normal.”
It took a while, but I now see a brilliant neurotherapist regularly, and her clinic runs Zoom classes too. I work with a specialised nutritionist and do pilates via Zoom too, as well as yoga on my own. I had practised for 40 years, and it was depressing how stiff my condition had made me. I also check in with a Parkinson’s nurse.
The most effective thing that experts agree you can do for this miserable condition is exercise. My efforts, thanks to my team, are slowly paying off.
Katy Wright
Lewes, East Sussex
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