James Lowson

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

My mother in law was first diagnosed at the age of 54 years. It started with a back ache, as any other patients with PD(Parkinson's Disease), my partner and her mum visited multiple doctors including orthopedic specialists to seek help for back pain. It took them more than a year to get the diagnosis from a neurologist. The medicines are purely to help manage the symptoms. As days passed the symptoms have progressed and her mobility and speech has been badly effected. My mother in law tries her best to stay positive and independent, but we can see PD taking a toll on her. We need more awareness and resources contributing towards the research to help the PD patients manage symptoms, get necessary and affordable help, and cure.

My partner Satya says, that everyone would love visiting her home, and seeing her mum, as she would always welcome them wholeheartedly and cook delicious food no matter what time they arrive (Perhaps that's where she gets the love to cook for our friends and family). On one of her birthday's six of her friends showed up unannounced, and her mum who had already cooked food for a dozen people,  cooked even more without letting out a sigh. Her friends still talk about the biryani from that day. 

Seeing her unable to walk freely and do the things that she loves, hurts both of us. 

So I thought it might be a nice idea to raise a bit of cash for Parkinson's UK by running the Maidenhead Half Marathon on Oct 25th.

Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition that has no cure and gets worse over time. It has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety. And Parkinson's is on the rise. Someone is diagnosed every 20 minutes in the UK today. By 2050, the number of people with Parkinson’s worldwide will double to 25 million.

Parkinson’s UK is one of the top charities that is invested in searching for a cure and campaigning for better health and care, to funding research into groundbreaking new treatments and running life-changing support services. It’s all driven by one mission: improving life with Parkinson’s.

That’s why I’m fundraising for Parkinson’s UK.