Skip to content
sci-fi-and-fantasy — Cance — Cbd — Pets — Business — Health-and-wellness — Finance — Support groups — Food-and-drink — Entertainment

Living with Parkinson's Disease: Personal Experiences and Challenges

Glenda Reichman, native of Benoni, South Africa, resided near Johannesburg growing up. Recounting her past, she mentions, "I completed high school and opted for pharmacy as my field of study." Reflecting, she admits, "At that age, I was too young to determine a career path, but I yearned for...

,   and  Administrator
5 min read
Born in Benoni, South Africa, Glenda Reichman spent her formative years in a town close to...
Born in Benoni, South Africa, Glenda Reichman spent her formative years in a town close to Johannesburg. Reflecting on her past, she admits, "I completed high school and opted to pursue pharmacy as a profession." Looking back, she acknowledges that her decision on a career path at such a young age might not have been wise, but her desire to attend university was strong. Her brother was also a professional.

Living with Parkinson's Disease: Personal Experiences and Challenges

Glenda Reichman's Journey with Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease and Her Quest for Awareness

Glenda Reichman, a native of Benoni, South Africa, was born and raised near Johannesburg. After completing high school, she pursued a pharmacy degree, prompted by her interest in higher education and her brother's career as a pharmacist.

Married to Barry, whom she met during her university years in South Africa, the couple moved to London in 1986 so Glenda could re-qualify as a pharmacist. Two years later, they emigrated to Australia, where they started a family. Shaun and Craig, now 27 and 24 respectively, were born in Australia, and both families moved there.

As their family expanded, Glenda left pharmacy to manage a successful daycare center from home for 13 years. In 2004, while running the daycare center, she began experiencing unusual symptoms with her right hand. "I realized I was using my left hand while brushing my teeth or waving. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the fingers on my right hand weren't moving properly," Glenda recalled.

Following a referral from her general practitioner, she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease by a neurologist. "By a process of elimination and the presentation of classic symptoms, I had early-onset Parkinson's disease," she said.

Glenda's diagnosis was a difficult revelation, especially at such a young age with no family history of the disease. Nevertheless, her husband's positive attitude helped her adjust. "I had to fight this with everything I had. I had two wonderful boys who were just ten and seven; I couldn't curl up into a ball and feel sorry for myself," Glenda shared.

To manage her condition, Glenda chose not to broadcast her diagnosis, particularly while running a daycare center. "Nobody needs to know, your symptoms are mild, and you are young," her neurologist advised. She shared the diagnosis with her immediate family, who offered immense support, but she decided to keep it a secret from others.

In what she calls her "silent years," Glenda coped by hiding her mild symptoms and seeking solace in support groups provided by Parkinson's NSW. "These support groups were helpful, whether a teleconference group or face-to-face with the Tulip Belles' monthly meeting. They gave me the strength to reach a turning point, ten years on, where I was ready to share my story," she said.

At her 49th birthday lunch, Glenda decided to disclose her diagnosis to her close friends. "I wanted it to be a happy occasion and a celebration of life," she recalled.

In early 2016, Glenda underwent Deep Brain Stimulation surgery after months of research and careful consideration. "I was well-prepared, and I came through with no complications," she said. The surgery has given her a new lease on life and allowed her to continue focusing on her role as a wife and mother.

Today, Glenda continues to share her experiences living with Parkinson's disease and has even authored an e-book, "Love Yourself and Laugh, Laugh, Laugh," detailing her journey with the condition, her experiences with surgery, and the management of various symptoms. "I want to help as many people as possible. It took me a long time to share my diagnosis, but now I am completely open. If people want to ask me anything about Parkinson's, I am happy to talk about it," she said.

Note: Factors affecting the absorption of Parkinson's drugs, particularly levodopa, include high-protein diets, food intake timing, gastrointestinal health, medication interactions, disease progression, and the timing of medication intake to maintain therapeutic levels and manage symptoms effectively.

  1. Glenda's journey with early-onset Parkinson's disease is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unexpected medical-conditions.
  2. Her diagnosis sparked an interest in workplace-wellness, prompting her to advocate for better support groups for individuals dealing with chronic-diseases like Parkinson's.
  3. Science and medical-research have been crucial in understanding the causes and potential therapies-and-treatments for such neurological-disorders.
  4. Cancer and other respiratory-conditions may share some similarities with Parkinson's, as they are all chronic-diseases that require ongoing management and care.
  5. Digestive-health and eye-health are crucial aspects of overall health-and-wellness, and they can be impacted by certain medications used to treat Parkinson's.
  6. Hearing loss is also a common side-effect of Parkinson's, which Glenda has had to confront as part of her journey.
  7. Fitness-and-exercise plays a vital role in managing symptoms of Parkinson's, along with nutrition and skin-care.
  8. Autoimmune-disorders, like Parkinson's, are complex and require careful attention to prevent disease progression.
  9. Climate-change can affect health in various ways, such as increasing the prevalence of certain medical-conditions, including those which may impact the cardiovascular-health.
  10. Mental-health is closely intertwined with physical-health, and individuals like Glenda often face challenges in dealing with the emotional aspects of living with a chronic-disease.
  11. Men's-health is another important aspect of health-awareness, as men may face unique health issues, including those related to prostate-cancer.
  12. Skin-care is essential for maintaining a healthy appearance and can help alleviate symptoms such as dyskinesia in individuals with Parkinson's.
  13. CBD, a compound found in hemp, has shown promise in managing symptoms of various medical-conditions, such as neurological-disorders and anxiety.
  14. Parkinson's and other neurological-disorders can have a significant impact on one's career choices, necessitating adaptations in the workplace-wellness space.
  15. Environmental-science plays a crucial role in understanding the factors contributing to the prevalence and progression of cancer and other chronic-diseases.
  16. Finance is an essential aspect of managing one's health, particularly when dealing with medical-bills and long-term disability insurance, such as Medicare.
  17. Investing in one's health is vital, whether through purchasing organic food and supplements or exploring alternative therapies-and-treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care.
  18. Wealth-management is an area that Glenda has become increasingly interested in, as it can help individuals plan for their financial future and navigate life's unexpected challenges.
  19. Home-and-garden improvements, such as installing ramps and grab bars, can help make homes more accessible for individuals with mobility issues due to Parkinson's or other medical-conditions.
  20. Business owners can play a key role in promoting health-and-wellness in the workplace by offering flexible working hours, on-site health services, and mental-health support.
  21. Personal-finance is an area where many people need guidance, as they struggle to balance savings, debt, and investments while managing their health and family obligations.
  22. Banking-and-insurance companies can help individuals navigate the complex world of health-insurance and long-term disability coverage.
  23. Data-and-cloud-computing can help medical-professionals better understand and treat conditions like Parkinson's, as well as improve overall healthcare-delivery.
  24. Technology, particularly artificial-intelligence, holds exciting possibilities for the future of healthcare, including the development of new therapies and personalized treatment plans.
  25. Relationships are an essential part of mentally coping with a chronic-disease like Parkinson's, and Glenda found solace in her close family and friends.
  26. Pets can provide comfort and companionship, helping individuals better cope with the emotional challenges of living with a chronic-disease.
  27. Travel can be an enriching experience, but it's important for individuals with chronic-diseases to plan carefully and consider their health needs.
  28. Cars can be adapted to make transportation easier for individuals with mobility issues due to Parkinson's or other medical-conditions.
  29. Books, shopping, social-media, movies, TV shows, celebrities, music, pop-culture, sci-fi-and-fantasy, and other aspects of lifestyle are all part of the rich tapestry of human existence, offering moments of escape and joy even during challenging times like Glenda's journey with Parkinson's.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest