Our hero this week is Morgan who is taking on the half marathon in the Sydney Running Festival. Morgan’s Mum suffers from Multi Systems Atrophy (MSA) which has a lot of similarities to Parkinson’s.
There’s no doubt the training has been tough for Morgan, but she pushes through the pain by thinking about her Mum and how she would give anything to feel the pain during a long run, rather than the pain of having a neurodegenerative condition with no cure.
What Drives Your Commitment to find a cure for Parkinson’s?
My mum Vicki, suffers from a neurological disease called Multi Systems Atrophy (MSA). It is different from Parkinson’s disease, however, is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s due to the similarities in symptoms. Watching my mums’ rapid progression of this insidious disease is the reason I am committed to helping Shake it Up find a cure! No one else should have to suffer like this.
Why Shake It Up Australia?
There is currently no individual charity for MSA, but Shake It Up do amazing things for both Parkinson’s disease and MSA research. Shake it up gives 100% of any money donated to research. This means no donated money goes to admin costs of the foundation! How amazing (and rare) is that?!??!!
Tell us what you are doing/did to Shake Things Up?
This year I am running in the Sydney Running Festival half marathon. It’s the first time I’ve ever run a half marathon. I won’t lie, the training has been tough. Lots of early morning runs, arranging baby sitters a few times a week so my husband (who is also running) and I can train together, and finding the energy to get out and train after a long day. But one massive thing getting me through the training has been the fact that I can actually run! That I have legs and a body that allows me to run! What a privilege it is. And shouldn’t be taken for granted! I often think about mum when I’m running, and how she would give anything to feel the pain during a long run, rather than the pain of having a neurodegenerative condition with no cure.
Greatest Reward
The hope of one day finding a cure for both Parkinson’s and MSA so no one else ever has to suffer.
Best advice for people looking to Shake It Up?
Jump on the shake it up website and look at the upcoming events or run/walk for Parkinson’s. Get involved with anything and promote your fundraising on social media. They make it so easy!
Also- send them an email. All the staff from the organization that I have contacted so far have been extremely helpful and approachable!
There are so many ways you can get involved and make a difference.
