Zoe Hopkins

Summery!

So as many of you may know I have spent the last five years looking after an amazing chap called Jeff as he gradually found his life changing and becoming considerable more difficult due to Parkinson’s disease. Before knowing Jeff I didn’t know the effect that Parkinson’s had on the body and mind but I have now learnt just how horrendous this disease is. I have come to realize that you lose your dexterity, you lose your balance, you lose your good eyesight, you lose fluid movements. You lose the ability to walk properly, stand up properly, to speak properly, to communicate clearly, to think clearly and to express emotions. You lose people’s attention, their ability to understand you, their ability to have a proper conversation with you and with all of this you lose who you are, who you were before Parkinson’s disease defined you. Jeff has now moved into a care home as he could no longer safely stay in his home due to the frequency of his falls, so it is now that I want to raise some money for this incredibly worthwhile cause-Parkinson’s uk to try to help others suffering and make their journey more bearable. The money from this fundraiser will be used to help all people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease to have access to a Parkinson’s nurse, currently not everyone in the country has this luxury it is a bit of a post code lottery and once diagnosed with Parkinson’s you will only get one ‘in person’ appointment and one ‘phone call’ appointment per year with your consultant. This is very little contact with healthcare professionals when you are suffering with such a debilitating and frightening disease 😞. Funding…as always is the issue here and so hopefully we can make a difference by raising some money now. Throughout October I am going to try to reach my target of walking 90 miles with my dog Boo and I would love if you could sponsor me even just a few pounds to help the cause!