This week, Glenda shared her story, including details of the two people who have made the biggest difference to her life since diagnosis.

How old were you when you were diagnosed

39

Tell us about being diagnosed?

I was using my left hand more than my right. I went to a neurologist who diagnosed me with Parkinson’s disease. I remained silent for 10 years. I invited friends to a birthday lunch last year where I told them I had Parkinson’s, but not to feel sad, It was a celebration of life and a reason to live life.

What is the greatest challenge that Parkinson’s poses to your everyday life?

The greatest challenge for me is accepting that I have a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is not going to get better and I can’t do the things I used to do at the same pace. Things are harder and I want life to be as it was before which it will never be.

Apart from a cure – what is your greatest wish?

My greatest wish is to educate people that this is not only a disease of the elderly but affects those under 50 as well. I want to help others going through the same thing at such a young age.

I want to show them that life is for living, loving, traveling and having fun.

Apart from medication what has helped you most since your diagnosis?

What has helped me most since my diagnosis is my husband. He has been my rock and my greatest support. He doesn’t let me curl into a ball. He gives me confidence, hope and all the love and support to get up an live life for now.

Also my neurologist who I have been with since the beginning is my lifeline who is always there for me.

What do you love to do in your spare time?

I love to spend time in the garden, I love to play cards, I love to bake and cook for my family and I love to walk and pamper my dogs who are my other children.

As well as providing her story for Shake It Up, Glenda kindly participated in a recent photoshoot for It’s Not Funny. It’s Not Funny is a group of people who want to make a difference to the perception of Parkinson’s Disease through community action, independent of corporate or not-for-profit organisations. Some of this group have Parkinson’s Disease. It’s Not Funny wants to help people like Glenda tell her story with respect and dignity. To give her a way to tell of living with Parkinson’s Disease, of reinventing herself, of seeing the positive aspects of having the disease.