Beccy Turner

Day 19 progress

Misty morning

Parkinson's and sleep

When we think about Parkinson’s, we often think about the physical symptoms, like tremors, stiffness and problems with movement. But something that doesn’t always get talked about is sleep.

Sleep problems are common in people living with Parkinson’s, and they can happen at any stage of the condition. It’s not always just a case of having a bad night either. Some people struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep, while others may experience restless legs, vivid dreams or act out their dreams while sleeping. Medication can also affect sleep.

And of course, when someone isn’t sleeping well, it can affect how they feel the next day. Tiredness can make everything feel that little bit harder, and it can have an impact on family members and carers too.

It’s another reminder that Parkinson’s is about so much more than what we can see on the outside. There are lots of challenges that people may be dealing with quietly, and everyone’s experience is different.

The important thing is that sleep problems shouldn’t just be accepted as something you have to put up with. There is support available, and speaking to a GP, specialist or Parkinson’s nurse can help.

I’m learning so much through this challenge, and the more I learn, the more I realise just how much there is to Parkinson’s that people might not know about.

Sometimes, understanding a little more can make a big difference. ❤️

Time to recharge

Today we had a bit of a lie in because I think Chewy deserved a little rest after reaching the halfway point of our 90 miles! I’m not sure he’s complaining about a slower start to the day, and to be honest, neither am I! 😂

It got me thinking about how important rest is, not just for Chewy and me during this challenge, but for everyone. When you’re busy trying to fit everything in, it’s easy to feel like you always need to be doing something, but sometimes you need to slow down, have a rest and recharge your batteries.

Rest is important for our bodies to recover, especially when we’re doing more walking than usual. And it’s not just about the physical side of things. Taking a little time to recharge can help you feel better in yourself too. I think we all need reminding sometimes that having a rest isn’t giving up, it’s just part of looking after yourself.

We’re not putting our walking boots away just yet though! I’ll be heading out after work tonight with Chewy to get some more miles in. A slower start, a bit of rest and then back out we go.

We’ve made it halfway, which still feels a bit mad when I think about it. One thing this challenge is teaching me is that you don’t have to do everything all at once. Just keep going at your own pace, take a breather when you need one and remember why you started.

Now, if Chewy could just stop treating every sniff like a major investigation tonight, we might get those miles done a bit quicker! 

Day 14 - halfway there

The People Who Help Along the Way

Since Mum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I’ve learnt just how many different ways this condition can affect everyday life, and how important it is to have the right people around you.

We’ve been so lucky to have Sue, Mum’s Parkinson’s nurse, supporting us. She has helped us understand Parkinson’s and the changes it can bring, and knowing we have someone we can turn to has made such a difference. But there are lots of other people who can help too, like physiotherapists who support movement and balance, occupational therapists who help make everyday tasks easier, and speech and language therapists who can help with communication and swallowing.

One thing I’ve learnt along the way is that sometimes the smallest tips can make a difference. We came across some advice on a Parkinson’s UK forum about freezing, when someone can find it difficult to get moving or take a step. Counting or imagining stepping over something can sometimes help. When we told Mum about it, she decided to pretend she was kicking my brother in law in the head! 😂 And do you know what? It did the job! It gave us all a laugh, but it was also a reminder that sometimes you have to find ways of doing things that work for you. That’s Mum all over, finding her own way of dealing with things, with a bit of humour thrown in.

Before Parkinson’s became part of our lives, I honestly hadn’t thought about all the different types of support someone might need. It’s not just about medication. It’s about helping people stay independent, making everyday life a bit easier and giving families the advice they need along the way. For me, the most important thing is that Mum can still be Mum. She’s still the same cheeky, stubborn woman we know and love, and those laughs we’ve had along the way mean everything.

I think that’s what I’ve learnt through all of this. Parkinson’s brings challenges, and there are days when things can be difficult, but there are still plenty of moments to laugh together too. And if pretending to kick my brother in law in the head helps Mum get moving, then who am I to argue! 

90 Miles One Big Mission Where Your Support Goes

Day 11-12 progress

The Walkies for Parkinson's Crew

Well, look at Chewy go! He’s only gone and won Pooch of the Week! I think it’ll go straight to his head, although if you ask him, he’s already the boss anyway! 😂

Today I wanted to dedicate our walk to everyone else taking part in Walkies for Parkinson’s. One of the things I’ve really enjoyed since we started is seeing everyone’s updates and reading their stories. Everyone has their own reasons for doing this, and some of the stories people have shared have really touched me. It’s also given me so much motivation to keep going, especially on the days when you need that little push to get out and get those miles in. So thank you to everyone who has shared their stories and kept us all moving. You might not realise it, but seeing what everyone else is doing really does make a difference, and it’s lovely knowing we’re all in this together, raising money for such an important cause.

We all have our own reasons for taking part, but we’re all trying to make a difference for people living with Parkinson’s and their families. For me, it’s all about Mum, and I know so many of you have your own special reasons too. So today’s miles are for all of you. Keep sharing your stories and keep going. We’ve got this!

And of course, a big well done to Chewy for winning Pooch of the Week. I’m sure he’d like to thank everyone, but knowing him, he’d probably prefer a treat! ❤️🐾

A change of scenery

Today is going to be a bit of a change of scene for our Walkies for Parkinson’s because we’re walking to Mum’s.

We did a little mile this morning to get us started, as we’ve got a bit further to walk today. No point tiring Chewy out before we’ve even got to Nanny’s! 

Chewy is obviously very happy because we’re off to see his best mate. I’m pretty sure he knows exactly where we’re going because he gets very excited when we head towards Mum’s.

When I’m with Mum, I don’t really see the Parkinson’s. I just see Mum. We have a chat, probably have a cup of tea, have a laugh and Chewy gets lots of cuddles from his best mate.

Parkinson’s has changed some things, but Mum is still Mum. Still cheeky, still stubborn and still has plenty of opinions!

So today we’re getting some miles in, enjoying a different walk and then spending some time with Mum.

A pretty good reason to get those walking shoes on. 

Day 7 progress

Day 7 - Here comes the rain

Well, today definitely felt like October! It was our first proper rainy day of the challenge, but luckily Chewy and I managed to get out just in time before the downpour started. We got 2.2 miles done and made it back inside just as the rain really started coming down. We got the fire on, made a cuppa and it felt very cosy sitting inside after being out in the rain!

While we were out walking, I was thinking about some of the things I’ve learnt about Parkinson’s since Mum was diagnosed. One thing I didn’t realise before all of this is that there isn’t one single test that can diagnose Parkinson’s. Doctors look at symptoms, medical history and how things develop over time.

I also didn’t realise how important medication timing can be. For someone living with Parkinson’s, getting medication at the right time can be really important, as delays can make symptoms like stiffness, pain and tremor worse. Parkinson’s also affects dopamine in the brain, which is why medicines like levodopa are used to help with symptoms.

There is still so much I’ve learnt since Parkinson’s became part of our lives, and I think it’s important to share some of these things because there is so much about Parkinson’s that people just don’t know.

But we weren’t finished with our walking for today! We headed back out again this evening and got some more miles in

Chewy's day off

Today is a rest day for Chewy because it is an office day for me. After the massive walk with Jack on Saturday and then another lovely walk on Sunday, I think his little legs probably deserve a bit of a break!

I’m off on the train to London for the day, so Chewy gets to spend his day doing what he does best, sleeping, relaxing and finding the comfiest spot in the house! 😂

I’ll still be getting my steps in today with the commute and being up and about at work, but they won’t be tracked as part of our 90 miles. Once you start doing a challenge like this, you really do notice just how much walking you do without even thinking about it.

When I get home, we might have a little relaxed potter if we both feel like it. Nothing too ambitious, just a gentle wander and some fresh air.

Then tomorrow we’ll be back to our proper Walkies for Parkinson’s miles.

For today though, Chewy is officially off duty and I’m pretty sure he won’t be complaining about that! ❤️🐾

Day 5 morning walkies

Day 5 progress

Monday Miles

It’s Monday, and after a rather large weekend of walking, I was definitely feeling it this morning! Saturday was a massive walk with Jack and we managed to get a good chunk of those miles done. It was lovely having him with me, although I’m not sure either of us realised quite how many miles we were signing up for until our legs started complaining!

Then came Monday. Work, housework, things to do and absolutely no motivation whatsoever! There was definitely a little voice saying, “You’ve done loads at the weekend. Surely you can have a day off?” Unfortunately, Chewy had other ideas. The minute he sees the walking shoes, he’s ready. No excuses, no “I’m tired today”, just that look that says, “Come on then, where are we going?”

So off we went and got another few miles under our belts. I’m doing all these miles for Mum, so even when my legs are saying “NO MORE WALKING PLEASE”, I just remind myself why I started. Another walk done, another few miles closer to 90. Now I’m off to put my feet up, have a cup of tea and pretend tomorrow isn’t another walking day!

Day 4 progress

Family

Today’s walk was a little bit different because I had my sister Tracey walking with me.

It got me thinking about family and how important it is, especially when life doesn’t always go the way you expect it to.

We’ve been through a lot as a family over the years. We lost Dad over 20 years ago, and then more recently we’ve had to learn how to deal with Mum having Parkinson’s. Life changes, things change and sometimes you find yourself having to adapt to things you never expected.

But one thing that never changes is how much family matters.

Today was just about spending some time together, having a good chat, having a laugh, getting some miles in and, of course, stopping for a couple of drinks along the way!

I think that is one of the things I’m enjoying about this challenge. It’s not just about getting to 90 miles. It’s giving me a reason to get out, spend time with people I love and make some memories along the way.

So today’s miles are for family.

For Mum. For Dad. For the people who have been there along the way. And for those little moments where you realise that sometimes it’s not about how far you walk, but who you have beside you.

Today it was Tracey, a few miles, a lot of chatting and a couple of drinks. Not a bad way to spend a day! ❤️🐾

Day 3

The iceberg

When most people hear the word Parkinson’s, I think one of the first things they picture is someone with a tremor. I know I did. But since Mum was diagnosed, I’ve realised that Parkinson’s is so much more than what you can see.

Parkinson’s is often described as an iceberg. The things people see on the outside are only a small part of what someone living with Parkinson’s can actually be dealing with underneath. There are the things you might notice, like tremors, stiffness, slow movement and problems with balance. But there are also so many other symptoms that people might not realise are connected to Parkinson’s. Things like tiredness, pain, problems with sleep, including REM sleep behaviour disorder, changes to speech, swallowing difficulties, bladder and bowel problems, anxiety, changes with thinking and memory and so many other things. REM sleep behaviour disorder is something I had never even heard of before Parkinson’s became part of our lives. It can cause people to act out their dreams, talk, shout or move around during sleep.

That is one of the biggest things Parkinson’s has taught me. Just because you can’t see something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Someone can look completely fine from the outside while dealing with things that other people have no idea about. Parkinson’s can affect so many different parts of someone’s life, and no two people will necessarily experience it in exactly the same way.

And Parkinson’s is not a condition that is standing still either. The World Health Organization describes Parkinson’s disease as the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world. That really shocked me when I first found that out. There are around 166,000 people living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis in the UK, and over 30,000 of those people have limited or no access to a Parkinson’s specialist nurse. That’s around 1 in 5 people living with Parkinson’s. That is a lot of people who may not have the specialist support they need, and it is another reason why raising money for Parkinson’s UK matters so much to me.

Because Parkinson’s can affect so much more than movement. It can change everyday life in ways that people who haven’t experienced it might never realise.

So today, Chewy and I are putting another few miles behind us. Every mile is for Mum, for the people living with Parkinson’s and for all the families learning to adapt to the changes it can bring.

You might only see the tip of the iceberg, but there is so much more underneath. And that is why we’re walking. ❤️🐾

Day 2 progress

Parkinson's Nurses and why they are so important

When someone you love is diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it can feel like you have suddenly stepped into a world you know nothing about. There are so many questions, so many changes to deal with and days when you wonder how you are all going to keep going. For our family, one of the people who has made such a difference through all of this is our wonderful Parkinson’s nurse, Sue. That is one of the reasons I decided to take on Walkies for Parkinson’s and walk 90 miles with Chewy to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.

Parkinson’s nurses are so much more than people who provide medical care. They listen, they support, they explain things when you are confused and they are there when you need someone who understands what you are going through. They don’t just see the Parkinson’s, they see the person and the family behind it. For us, Sue has been there for Mum and for all of us. She has helped us understand the changes Parkinson’s brings and helped Mum keep as much of her independence as possible. She has shown us how we can adapt things without losing the little everyday moments that mean so much.

Making a cup of tea, walking in the garden, sitting together and talking over dinner. These things might sound small, but they are the things that make up everyday life. Because of Sue’s care, knowledge and kindness, Mum is still living her life in her own way and that means everything to us. Sue has also been there for us as a family. She listens when we are worried, answers the questions we know to ask and often the ones we didn’t even know we needed to ask. She gives us reassurance when things feel difficult and helps us feel that we are not facing it all on our own.

That is why supporting Parkinson’s UK means so much to me. There are not enough specialist Parkinson’s nurses for everyone who needs them and too many families are left waiting for the specialist support they need. Parkinson’s nurses can make such a huge difference to people living with Parkinson’s and the families who are alongside them. So now it is my turn to do something.

Me and Chewy are taking on 90 miles for Walkies for Parkinson’s. It is going to be a lot of walking, a lot of muddy paws, probably a few tired legs and hopefully lots of happy memories along the way. Knowing Chewy, there will probably be plenty of sniffing stops too! But every mile has a reason behind it. I’m walking for Mum. I’m walking for Sue. I’m walking for all the families living with Parkinson’s. And I’m walking to help raise money so that more people can have access to the specialist nurses who make such a difference when they need them most.

Ninety miles might sound like a long way, but when you have a reason that means this much to you, every step feels worthwhile. So Chewy and I are getting our walking boots and paws ready and taking on the challenge together. If you can donate, share our fundraiser or simply follow along with us as we take on the 90 miles, it would mean so much.

Every step, every donation and every bit of support will be helping to make sure that more families affected by Parkinson’s have someone like Sue beside them. And to our wonderful Sue, thank you. Thank you for helping Mum stay Mum. Thank you for helping us stay strong. And thank you for reminding us that even when Parkinson’s changes things, it doesn’t have to take away the things that matter most.

This 90 miles is for you. ❤️🐾

Day 2

Day 1 progress

Day 1

Beautiful first day

Up at 6:30am and so glad we did! 💙

Right, 6:30am… me and Chewy? Definitely not morning people 😂 I work from home so our mornings normally start a bit later, and our first walk is usually much later too! But today I set that alarm, dragged ourselves out of bed and got straight out the door. And honestly, I’m so glad we did.

It was such a lovely morning. Crisp, still and just really peaceful. While I was walking, my mind went straight to Mum. Every single morning she gets up to that alarm to take her tablets, that important dose that helps her start the day as symptom free as possible. But even then, she has no idea what kind of day she’s going to have. She doesn’t know what symptoms will show up, how hard it might be to even get her legs out of bed, or whether her feet will feel like they weigh a ton when she tries to move. Every morning is a bit of a guessing game for her, and she just gets on with it.

That’s why I’m doing this. I’m not going to moan about getting up early, not once during this challenge. I’m walking for Mum, and for every single person living with Parkinson’s, and for all the families who are right there beside them too. We’re doing this so everyone affected gets the support they need and deserve.

Every step me and Chewy take is for you, Mum 💙 And for all of you too. We’ve got this 🐾💙