Jeremy Paxman’s view of Parkinson’s disease is far too bleak | Letters
I fully support Jeremy Paxman’s position in presenting the Parky Charter and its five recommendations to the government (Jeremy Paxman says Parkinson’s disease ‘makes you wish you weren’t born’, April 11). I also agree with him that the charter will have “no effect whatsoever” on this cold and indifferent government (my words).
But I am surprised and shocked by his statement that Parkinson’s disease “makes you wish you weren’t 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 disease last year), I’m probably at a similar stage as he now worsens the disease.
I could never make such a gloomy statement, and I have never heard it from others with Parkinson’s either. To say that is to 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 condemnation to continued decline, even though there are medications that can help. But as with all neurological or degenerative diseases, the rate at which the disease progresses varies considerably from person to person. Paxman’s stark statement may ring true for those most affected by the condition, but only a minority of people would see themselves that way.
Neil Brown
Duns, Scottish Borders
I too was shocked, shocked and depressed when I was diagnosed. But a brilliant and kind neurologist said to me, “Once you get your team together, you can almost get your life back to normal.”
It took a while, but I now see a brilliant neurotherapist regularly, and her clinic also hosts Zoom classes. I work with a specialized nutritionist and also do pilates via Zoom, as well as yoga myself. I had been practicing for forty years and it was depressing how stiff my condition had made me. I also report to a Parkinson’s nurse.
The most effective thing you can do for this miserable condition, according to experts, is exercise. My efforts, thanks to my team, are slowly paying off.
Katy Wright
Lewes, East Sussex