Learning to live with Parkinson’s

Scientists and researchers worldwide are tirelessly working to find treatments and medications for people suffering from various diseases whose successes are often called miracles.

One such miracle is long-awaited by thousands of people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) around the world, including Galway.

A recent discovery by researchers at the University of Galway is expected to revolutionise stem cell repair therapy for Parkinson’s Disease and offer hope to people who currently rely on different drugs to manage it.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition in which a person’s brain cells degenerate and die leading to a progressive deterioration in a person’s ability to control movement.

Mary Biggins from Tuam has been living with Parkinson’s for the last eight years, often wondering if there could be a treatment that can help her get back on her beautiful bicycle that she loved to ride around town.

Mary’s symptoms began with the loss of control of her ring finger, which eventually spread to her whole body. Once leading a healthy and active life, she now struggles to take a walk or control the involuntary movements in her body.

She told The Tuam Herald that ever since the diagnosis, she has been on several medications and some of them had very “harsh side effects” for her.

“Oh, it was wicked. Vomiting, falling, dizziness, I would get everything. Medication is something my body never agrees with, and I get all kinds of rashes and itchiness all the time.”

Life changed a lot after the diagnosis for Mary, as she had to give up almost everything she enjoyed; she lost her independence to the disease......

Read the feature in full in the current edition of The Tuam Herald, on sale in shops or buy our digital edition here.