My story

Now I've learned how to live with Parkinson’s

The only way is up ... Gavin Hastings, left, is joining climb with our Jen, right, to help wife Diane, centre
The only way is up ... Gavin Hastings is joining the climb with our Jen right, to help wife Diane

The mum of two was diagnosed with Parkinson's aged just 39. She tells YVONNE BOLOURI how her life has changed since her diagnosis.

 

To an onlooker, Diane Hastings has a charmed life.

But eight years ago Diane was diagnosed with the degenerative brain disorder Parkinson's disease.

She was only 39 years old and the news came as a devastating blow to the family.

Disbelief, anger, tears and depression rocked her to the core.

But resilient Diane did what she knows best — she got on with life.

Now 47, she controls her symptoms with medication and is firmly in control.

Diane was referred for tests and scans at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital. Parkinson's was diagnosed straight away.

She said: "I was gobsmacked. I thought Parkinson's only happened to old people. I was 39.

"At the time Gavin was in Australia at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. I had to phone him with the news. It was not a good time.

But she said: "I didn't know much about Parkinson's so I looked on websites and to be honest, they go into too much detail and aren't very positive.

"So I stopped that. Of course I cried and I had my black moments.

"It took a few weeks to sink in but by the time Gavin was due home, I had my head round it.

" I realised this was the card I'd been dealt, and there was nothing I could do about it."

"Medication made me feel completely well. The stiffness improved, my energy levels went up and I realised that living with Parkinson's isn't a death sentence."

"When you have something like Parkinson's private healthcare won't cover you but my NHS treatment has been superb.

"My doctor and consultant are just an email away if I need help, and the neurologist is the same one I had when I was in private healthcare."

"I look after myself, watch what I eat and we've now got two dogs so I exercise them for an hour every morning. I'd never have done that before, but now, when I miss a morning, I really miss the benefits.

She said: "I'm extremely proud of Gavin and the kids. Gavin is going to be 50 in January so we're planning something special.

"He's climbing Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Funding Neuro charity. We met the founder Bryn Williams, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's when he was 36, through a mutual friend, so Gavin does a lot of fundraising for Wobbly Williams.

"When Gavin's away, we usually Skype but I don't think he'll be able to do that on the top of a mountain!"

Diane understands the devastation of a Parkinson's diagnosis but insists there is hope.

She advised: "Accept it, take the medication and enjoy your life.

"Of course, I'd rather not have it, but things could be a whole lot worse."

My gallery 9

My Teams

My company

My charity

Funding Neuro

Funding Neuro

Charity Registration No. SC042061

Funding Neuro funds research that will lead to treaments and cures for neurological conditions. We do this by bringing researchers in all fields and patients of all disorders together to share ideas and to deliver results.

Donations 342

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Well done Gav, hope to see you back in NYC soon. Regards to the family, Rich Sexton

Donation by Captain's Knock LLC on 03/04/12

£50.00

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Well done - a huge effort. Glad you have had time to recover!

Donation by Jenny, Paddy, Kirsty and Sally Jack on 21/03/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Right to the very top!

Donation by iain Murray on 20/03/12

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Well done Gavin, hope you make your target.

Donation by Neil Hampton on 19/03/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Big Man well done our best wishes to you and the family a great cause my Gramp managed Parkinsons. Regards Andy( martin) and family

Donation by andrew Martin on 09/03/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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gav+diane, Luv you guys, prefer Diane. Happy gav got to the top, As anticipated he just couldn't wait to get to the top to drop his trousers,

Donation by JIMMY VIV CHRIS +TINA on 07/03/12

£2,000.00

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Gavin well done, keep up the good work.

Donation by John Dixon on 06/03/12

£200.00

+ £50.00 Gift Aid

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Well Done Gavin (apols forgot to donate in January !!) Remembering my Pa who had Parkinsons.

Donation by Carolyn & Andy (Berkeleys' neighbours) on 03/03/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Absolutely fantastically first class! Well done to all.

Donation by Martin Blencowe on 02/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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How far can you hit a golf ball at that altitude? Well done to all. Charlie & Elaine

Donation by charles crummey on 01/03/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Fantastic effort and our best wishes to you all

Donation by Stuart & Julie Munro on 01/03/12

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Really well done, not bad for an 'older' guy.

Donation by Richard & Suzy on 29/02/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Ramsey Macpherson on 27/02/12

£100.00

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Well Done! Remembering Colin too.

Donation by Anne Small on 26/02/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Donation by Gavin Robertson on 23/02/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Thanks for making the detour on Sat. Donation in lieu of fuel costs!!!

Donation by Bob Bruce on 20/02/12

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

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Well done Gav on the climb and the money you've raised - a fantastic effort. Diane, you are even more inspirational.

Donation by Gregor Townsend on 17/02/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Fantastic amount to have raised well done to you and Diane

Donation by Peter Keeling on 16/02/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Congratulations and well done Gavin. Scottish Life

Donation by Jacqui Naysmith on 16/02/12

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Well done!

Donation by stephen thurlow on 13/02/12

£150.00

+ £37.50 Gift Aid

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Sorry for delay, awaiting my "Bankers Bonus"!!! You know if we had a million pounds we would send it to you.So proud of you and Diane.The Sherwoods x

Donation by Tracey Sherwood on 10/02/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Donation by kenneth paterson-brown on 09/02/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Great effort Gav. See you in Wales

Donation by Rory Bell on 08/02/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Great job Gavin!

Donation by Paul Woodhouse on 07/02/12

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Donation by John Coles on 07/02/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£35,198.00
  • Offline donations£9,165.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£44,363.00
  • Gift Aid£6,029.50

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.