Alun

Alun’s journey with Parkinson’s disease started with a frozen shoulder and bouts of depression in his late 40s.  His wife suggested that he should ask his doctor if it was Parkinson’s.  He did and got a conclusive diagnosis in 1999 and started treatment.

After two years, his symptoms, which included problems walking and depression, began to overwhelm him and he decided to retire from teaching.  Alun was at home alone for a year and thought over his new life with Parkinson’s. He decided to meet others with the disease and got involved in sharing his experiences.

Keeping busy with fundraising and working with his doctor on managing his symptoms have changed Alun into a more outgoing and motivated person.  By finding support from his family and friends, taking exercise classes and talking to groups to educate them about Parkinson’s, Alun feels his life is fuller than it was.  He continues to work with the young-onset Parkinson’s group, of which he is the chair, and Alun also sits on the Board of Trustees of the PDS (UK). In 2009, he planned a conference to help others dealing with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, which was an outstanding success.