Finding strength and sharing hope: New Shake It Up ambassador Morgan’s journey with Parkinson’s

Monday, 29th September 2025

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Family at the Heart of Her Story

For Morgan Campbell, a proud South Australian from Adelaide, family is everything. She is a devoted wife to her partner of 15 years, a sister to four siblings (including her triplet brother and sister), an aunty to five nieces, and a daughter who is shaped by the strength and courage of her parents.

“Ten years ago, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and my mum, leveraging her medical expertise, dedicated herself to supporting him and educating our family.

Their resilience, commitment, and courage have helped shape the person I’ve become and continue to inspire my dedication to raising awareness and advocating for research into Parkinson’s disease.”

A Sudden Shift

For many years, her dad’s Parkinson’s was “manageable, barely affecting his daily life.” That all changed eighteen months ago.

“When I asked him to reflect on the past year, he didn’t hesitate. ‘Since November last year, it was the most dramatic, hideous decline.’ These words capture the sudden shift our family was facing.”

What had once been steady became frighteningly unpredictable, and Morgan’s family had to confront the reality of a disease that was no longer easily kept at bay.

A Wedding Full of Emotion

The decline in her dad’s health was most powerfully felt during Morgan’s wedding earlier this year.

“I wasn’t sure my dad would be able to walk me down the aisle or give the father of the bride speech, and that uncertainty was hard to carry.”

On the day, her mum walked her partway before her dad joined her to finish the walk. “It was a bittersweet triumph.” Yet the next day, her father was too unwell to join family celebrations. “It was a stark realisation. His Parkinson’s wasn’t improving, and it certainly wasn’t going away.”

A Life-Changing Decision

After much thought and careful consultation, her dad decided to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery under A/Prof Wesley Thevathasan and his Melbourne team.

“Within days of the procedure, he began to regain movement, independence, and a vitality we hadn’t seen in years. The transformation was nothing short of life
changing. A profound medical milestone and an emotional moment that filled our family with overwhelming gratitude and fresh hope for the future.”

This surgery marked a turning point not just for her father’s health, but for Morgan’s own sense of purpose.

Becoming an Ambassador

Morgan connected with Shake It Up just before her dad’s surgery and felt strongly that sharing their story could give hope to others.

“My goal is to share Dad’s inspiring story. His successful surgery has brought him immense relief and a regained sense of independence.

I hope that by sharing his journey, other families can find the reassurance we were so desperately looking for and a spark of hope for what’s ahead.”

“Becoming an ambassador allows me to turn a moment that felt beyond my control into purposeful action. I am driven to raise awareness, share our story, and help
other families know they are not alone.”

A Message of Connection and Hope

Morgan wants her message as an ambassador to resonate deeply with those facing Parkinson’s, either personally or through a loved one.

“Living with Parkinson’s, whether personally or alongside a loved one, can be overwhelming and challenging. My message is that you are not alone. Connection, support, and hope can make all the difference.”

Her story is one of resilience, love, and the power of sharing personal journeys to light the path for others.