Celebrating achievements and successes of Parkinson’s patients

With more than 1.2 million people affected in Europe alone, Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a major movement disorder, and the fastest-growing neurological disorder worldwide with the number of people with PD expected to double within the next 25 years.^{1 , 2 , 3} PD is a chronic and progressive neurologic disorder caused by a deficiency of dopamine-producing cells, and among the symptoms are reduced mobility, tremors, rigidity, slowness or trouble articulating. April is Parkinson’s Awareness month and people worldwide are raising awareness about the condition and stories from the community.  

Every journey of a person with PD is individual, and despite the many challenges, there are at least as many achievements and successes to be celebrated. These may look bigger or smaller from the outside, but every step forward transforms the lives of those affected and their loved ones.

This year, we want to shine a light on some of these people and their stories in a campaign for Parkinson’s Awareness Month, with a series of videos celebrating the achievements of people with PD. Meet four of them here: 

Let’s start with Bill from the South West of England. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2015, Bill had to give up his job as a consultant trainer for the police and many of his hobbies. And while thanks to his Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) system he was able to cycle from Lands' End in the South West all the way to Scotland, 25 days in the saddle, 1,069 miles (1,720km) – he says the most important thing for him is that his caregiver wife doesn't have to look after him as much as she used to: “My wife has her own time again, the time she had to spend looking after me. And it was great that I could tell my two boys that dad is back.”​ 

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a formidable challenge for anyone. If you have Parkinson's Disease, it’s even more daunting. Yet, this is the challenge which Valéry, 60, took on. On a trip with the French Parkinson's association, he learned about a planned expedition to Africa's highest mountain (5,800m) and decided to take part in it. Altitude sickness and the challenging terrain posed significant hurdles, but the group reached the top and Valéry now says: "Keep exercising. Keeping enjoying it. It's not because you have Parkinson's that you can't do anything anymore.  

Or hear from Christian from Southern Germany. Faced with his diagnosis at the age of 36, Christian felt like “being hit by a hammer." With a new home and their then young son, Christian and his wife Diana were not sure what the future might look like. Following his Deep Brain Stimulation procedure, the couple recalled one seemingly simple experience that made a huge difference: after struggling to sleep more than two hours per night, Christian was finally able to sleep an entire night. What may not seem impressive for some outsiders, made a huge difference to them: “It was like winning the lottery,” Diana said.​ It's about time. Time to get rest when you need it. 

For Ernst Daniël Smid, a Dutch opera singer, actor, and presenter, being on stage is his passion: “Singing is my identity, my life, my happiness,” he says. When Ernst was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016, it came as a shock to him. No more shows, no more performances? He now looks back at the day of his DBS procedure as his “rebirth.” He now says: “With DBS, everything was possible again – and I can sing on stage again.”  

Living with PD can present numerous challenges, but it also offers a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and its capacity for hope and moving forward. When faced with these challenges, celebrating successes and victories, no matter how seemingly small, can make a big difference, as each one is a testament to their spirit and a triumph over adversity. It’s about time. 

Watch their stories and others here: