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Why Parkinson's?

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. At first symptoms can be hard to spot - it can start with feeling a little more tired than usual or weak. This can develop into shaking, slowness of movement and poor co-ordination, which are understandably difficult to live with, but it can also be the cause of mental health problems including memory loss, anxiety, hallucinations and depression.

When someone you love starts to show these symptoms, it is incredibly distressing because you are powerless to stop it. My Lala had Parkinson's disease, and I never fully understood what was happening to her. She'd often be confused when I went to visit her, as in her mind I was still a toddler who needed to be looked after. She wouldn't recognise the teenager sitting with her, and would ask where Naomi was. Just like anyone, she had her good days and her bad days, and on her good days she'd recognise me and ask where I'd been, her 'sugar plum fairy'.

Parkinson's UK have already invested over £55million in groundbreaking research to find out exactly what causes this terrible disease, and to improve treatments to help make life easier for those living with Parkinson's.

I want to help them find a cure.

I graduate (hopefully) this June, but just before I do, I want to do something special. If Lala was still here, she'd be fighting for a ticket to my graduation ceremony, so the weekend before, just for her, I'm going to do the Great North Swim. That's 1 mile of open water swimming in the freezing cold Lake Windermere. Call me mad, but I can't wait.

Please help me help those suffering from Parkinson's and give a little today. Every penny really does count.

Thank-you.

 

"Lala" - April 2010

I remember living with you Lala, when I was just three or four.
You worked your way through a crossword while I sat and played on the floor.

One across, six letters; a person one likes and relies on.
You were my friend, and together we always had fun.

We used to watch old movies together, snuggled up in front of the TV.
My favourites were Sabrina and My Fair Lady.

Three down, four letters; a character from CBBC?
I didn’t know Lala was better known as a Teletubby!

As I grew older you measured me in awe,
Inches were climbing into feet on the back of your pantry door.

Six across, four letters; a moment, hour, day or year,
Time was passing by too fast we fear.

I could tell that you were growing wary
Of the size I was getting, your Sugar Plum Fairy.

I was getting too old for Winnie the Pooh,
But never too tired to spend time with you.

Instead of learning my a.b.c,
I’m going to uni to get a degree.

When we reach the last word, there isn’t a clue.
The letter count is missing too.
It’s time for us to say adieu,

But Lala, I’ll really miss you.

 

 

 

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