My Pop’s Journey

My Pop was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease several years ago.  I wasn’t too sure what Parkinson’s disease was at the time. I knew it impacted on the ability to perform movements as I noticed that Pop shuffled a lot while walking. I have watched this progressive condition take over his body. He has remained active for as long as possible, accepting challenges such as tramping a 44km great NZ walk, riding his bike, to slowing his movements gradually.

Hesitation to begin walking was observed as he had difficulty taking the initial step to begin walking.    His balance was affected as it increased his risk of falling. I noticed when Pop was sitting in his chair his posture was ‘stooped’ and he had the tendency to lean to one side. I was pleased to see him given a high backed chair to sit on which supported his head. I often noticed Pop was messy and slow in eating and drinking and this demanded greater effort and has lead to losing interest in food because he had trouble swallowing. As Parkinson’s has increased his food now has to be moulied. Excess saliva building up in his mouth troubles him also often causing embarrassment. I noticed that a good sitting posture at meal time and as few distractions as possible allow him to concentrate and reduce the difficulties he has. My Pop was an accountant and over time I noticed his hand writing had become smaller and ‘spidery’. He was given a gel ink pen which flowed more smoothly and a pen grip which was more comfortable and easy for him to hold onto.  He also becomes emotional during family gatherings which had an impact on me. Because of Parkinson’s being a progressive condition, family members dealt with Pop’s changes as were necessary. I guess the defining moment for me and one that impacted on me the most was when I noticed the hand rails mounted in the toilet, bathroom, up the steps through the garden to the back door. It made me realise Pop’s condition had become more serious. Up until then I hadn’t been affected by the small changes that had been happening, but when I realised how easy this made my Pops life I had to accept this.