Stories

My Father’s Day story actually starts by talking about my mum.  She was diagnosed with young onset PD over 25 years ago.  For many years she has had minimal and manageable symptoms, and on their retirement from teaching, my parents enjoyed camping, international travel, spending time with family, and walking together almost daily. Over the […]

In 2002, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. I was 39, my son was 11 and I was his soccer and his basketball coach. I worried about what kind of soccer or basketball coach I could be to him, and even what kind of father I could be, as someone with Parkinson’s Disease. His mother

Our dad, Larry Garnier, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease on December 17, 2008 at the age of 64. Even though the diagnosis was hard for us all at first, knowing he and my mom had a good support system was reassuring. This diagnosis was a challenge for my dad as he has been a farmer

“Our neurologist suggested we contact PAA for support and information after confirming Monty’s diagnosis just over a year ago. We also joined a monthly support group, which we both attend, and I joined a caregiver group. These care groups reinforce the feeling that we are not alone in dealing with PD. They also offer us

Not only did my Parkinson’s diagnosis completely change my lifestyle, it accelerated our planned move from one city to another. Parkinson Association of Alberta was a lifeline for us as I began my PD journey and adapted to Edmonton’s medical community. There is no way this huge life change could have happened so smoothly without

My name is Jacqueline McKay. I’m from Calgary, Canada but have lived in Brisbane, Australia for a year.  My dad Bill, was diagnosed with Parkinson disease 7 years ago. I still remember the moment I noticed. Dad had picked me up, and the vehicle was shaking as he was driving.  We realized his foot was tremoring,

Monty and Yolande came to Parkinson Association of Alberta shortly after learning of Monty’s Parkinson disease diagnosis. They shared with us the impact our programs and support have made in moving forward with hope. Their story Our neurologist suggested we contact PAA for support and information after confirming Monty’s diagnosis just over a year ago.

Carol and her family were no strangers to Parkinson disease when they received news of her diagnosis. They had witnessed first-hand the dread that accompanied such news, but they also knew where they could go to find hope. Support makes all the difference Nearly a year ago we got the diagnosis that my wife Carol

Recently my wife, who has been struggling with Parkinson’s for 13 years, underwent a procedure at the University of Alberta hospital to receive a new way of administering her medication.  It is known as “DuoDopa”; a pump method of providing Sinemet (levodopa/ carbidopa) directly to the small intestine.  A stoma (hole) is made through the stomach wall.  A tube

Colette, my wife and best friend was diagnosed with PD in 2005.  As we heard numerous time from others, the signs were there for many years before.  “Getting Old” we thought. We were fortunate in that Colette reacted well to oral medication.  Our life did not change much for the next seven years.  During those years we heard many