Kim is a woman on a mission! Kim aimed high this year for Pause 4 Parkinson’s, targeting local and national media through a photo opportunity with her friends, family and colleagues. She raised a great deal of awareness for Parkinson’s and even had her story picked up by ABC National. Her fundraising morning tea was a great success as well, raising over $3,400! Have a read of her inspiring story below.
What Drives Your Commitment to find a cure for Parkinson’s?
This is a slow acting debilitating illness that is affecting more and more people every day.
I feel that knowing ‘why me’ would go a long way towards helping people understand the illness – and go a long way to potentially, predicting who may be susceptible.
Whilst ‘cure’ may be some time away, slowing the progression down and being able to ‘track’ what’s ahead, would enable improved management for every individual
Why Shake It Up Australia?
Without question, one of the best examples of like-minded people working together to achieve one goal. Along with contributing to the international movement of raising funds and awareness to ensure research continues.
Tell us what you are doing/did to Shake Things Up?
I shook myself up. I’ve had the condition for years but had my head in the sand rather than doing something positive – being part of the solution rather than one of the silent afflicted.
I didn’t go to Support Groups, rarely talked about it, just ignored it. That’s changed now, and I’m at peace with it – still gives me the shits though!
Greatest Reward?
We all have groups of people we know and interact with from friends, family, work colleagues etc, and we engage with this network of people in varying ways depending upon what situation we are in
On April 11, Parky Awareness Day, to my absolute joy and astonishment, about 60 of these friends, colleagues and family turned up to support me.
Some had travelled from Sydney; some had interrupted their holidays, some had cancelled other engagements to ensure they were present at the morning tea. It was overwhelming, and I will never take these people for granted – I really am very fortunate to have such good people in my life
Best advice for people looking to Shake It Up?
Great organisation with integrity, committed to cracking the code that is Parkinson’s
There are plenty of ways you can make a difference, whether it is participating in an athletic event, hosting your own event, buying a ticket in the Play for Purpose Raffle of making a donation. Visit our Getting Involved page to learn more.
