Kay

When I had my first symptoms of Parkinson's disease - a twitchy little finger, deteriorating handwriting, dropping things and clumsiness - one doctor suggested that I had simply worn out my body, doing ‘a man's job' as a heavy equipment operator. I was 34 and loved my job operating bulldozers, dumper trucks and loaders. I generally felt like I could rule the world in those days. I had a great husband, a great job, and a great life.

Tough lessons

When I finally saw the doctor who is now my movement disorder specialist it took him seven minutes to diagnose me with Parkinson's disease. I was 34 years old. I started reading everything I could as well as posting in chat rooms on the Internet. A little over a year after my diagnosis, my husband and I decided to attend the first Young Onset Parkinson's Conference. I was really excited about meeting all the people I'd chatted with online, and going to the formal ball. As we arrived, it was great to meet a few of my online friends, but at the first workshop I just stopped in my tracks. There were hundreds of people arriving-some were in wheelchairs or using walkers, some had noticeable tremors. The long-term effects of Parkinson's disease were all around me.

Facing the facts

For the first time, I had to face facts. I had Parkinson's disease, and it wasn't going anywhere. I dressed for the ball and had my hair done, but before I could tell my husband that I really just wanted to leave, he came out and saw me all dressed up. He said, "Wow. You're beautiful." I looked at him like he was nuts, but he said it again and I treasure the memory of the look on his face at that moment. He wasn't seeing me as a person living with Parkinson's disease - he still saw me as his Scooby Doo, his wife and friend.

More than just a Parkinson's patient

It wasn't the last time I ever felt bad about Parkinson's disease, but I did learn something at that moment - I'm not ever going to just give up into bitterness and hopelessness, and I'm not going to forget that I'm more than just a Parkinson's patient. Instead, I'm going to do everything I can not only for myself and my own health, but for everyone with Parkinson's disease.

I have started an organisation called Parkinson's In the Park and written a children's book about Parkinson's disease. I have done a lot of educating - even sometimes educating people who hadn't exactly signed up for it.

I sign my post with Butterfly Hugs. A Butterfly Hug is when you wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze real tight. That is a hug from me to you. The Butterfly is a symbol of hope. If we can hold on to hope, we will win the battle against Parkinson's.