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

Donation by Alan Hawthorn on 09/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Good for you Gav - life is nothing without giving, and you have given so much to others throughout your life - you are a great inspiration. JXXX

Donation by Fiona Jaffe on 09/01/12

£100.00

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Wow - rather you than me! Best of luck, Jeannie, Matt and the rest of the Longs

Donation by Jeannie Long on 09/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck with your endeavours and thanks for raising the profile of Parkinsons. Good wishes.

Donation by michael kerr on 08/01/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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OK all the chat's over, now just get yer butt up that hill ...! With you all the way ,Colin ,Lorna, Fraser and Joanna McKay .

Donation by colin mckay on 08/01/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Good luck. The last time I went up a hill with you was WC95 training in Spain, when I saw a bit more of you than I needed, so watch what you eat.

Donation by Robert Wainwright on 08/01/12

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Best of luck from Norman and myself

Donation by lewine mair on 08/01/12

Good luck we will be thinking of you.... Graham, Sophie, Jamie and India

Donation by Graham Scott on 08/01/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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It will be awesome! What an adventure. And raising money for such a good cause. Happy 50th. Lots of love. Violet, Bill and boys.

Donation by Violet Blair on 07/01/12

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

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Gavin happy 50th. Good luck with the climb for a great cause .Best wishes to you and Diane.Woody QSG York

Donation by Richard Richardson on 07/01/12

£100.00

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great work big man! I'll throw in free pair of the new breathable bawbags called "cool de sacs"!

Donation by Midge Whyte on 07/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Go for it Gav - a big achievement for a great cause!

Donation by Mike & Carole Hall on 07/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Epic effort Gavin and for a fantastic cause. Very best wishes to you and Diane from Stewart, Sarah & Sam Heney

Donation by Stewart Heney on 07/01/12

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Well done you. Great effort for a worthy cause.

Donation by Eck & Sally Bryson on 06/01/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Amazing feat, Gav! Way outta my league! I'll just stick tae ma bike!

Donation by @DocRoddy on 06/01/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Gav, good luck and best wishes on the climb from the Harris clan and very best wishes to Diane.

Donation by David Harris on 06/01/12

£250.00

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Good Luck!

Donation by Yukie & James Marler on 06/01/12

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Happy Birthday and good luck with the climb! Best wishes to Dianne.

Donation by Murray Rudkin on 06/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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What a great way to avoid a Scottish winter. Enjoy.

Donation by Shug on 05/01/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Best of luck Gavin. Colin & Barbara

Donation by Barbara Dick on 05/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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About time you got some exercise! We'll text you the Racing Metro result! Best of luck.

Donation by Hamish Taylor on 05/01/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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I'm delighted to donate to this very worthy cause. I hope that Diane and Bryn keep well. Good luck with the climb Gavin

Donation by Jacqueline Forbes on 05/01/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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All the best from Singapore big boy. My best wishes go to you and your family for 2012. I'll crack open a cold Tiger when you reach the summit.

Donation by Colin Simpson on 05/01/12

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Good luck!

Donation by John,Siri and Eric McKinley on 04/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Many Happy Returns on your 50th Gav. Love to you and to Diane. Good luck and enjoy the trip. Buzz, Seonaid, Holly and Calum xx

Donation by Derek Busby on 04/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 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.