Having Parkinson’s is not the end of the world, according to Northland couple John Guest and Biz Moore.
In the 11 years since Guest was diagnosed with the neurological condition, the Whangārei pair have travelled internationally, driven a campervan around the South Island, renovated a property and bought a lifestyle block.
They are also active with the Northland Red Tulip Parkinson’s support group, taking part in weekly walks, ping pong and a carers’ support group.
In the lead-up to World Parkinson’s Day, Guest and Moore are sharing their story to show life doesn’t have to stop with a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
“It’s going to be with you for the rest of your life, so just get on with doing your life,” says Moore, a former nurse.
Guest says his first symptoms were shaking in one hand and fatigue, which he put down to long hours working on his Pipiwai farm, which had over 400 beef and dairy cows.
But he got it checked out and was diagnosed by a Whangārei Hospital specialist.
While he has no family history of Parkinson’s, Guest says he used a lot of sprays while working as a farmer, which could be one cause.
He considers himself lucky his symptoms have not progressed much. He still has shaking in one hand and tiredness but doesn’t suffer the problems some others do, like loss of voice, constipation or slow brain function.
“It’s slowed me up a bit from what I was, but I can still do most things.”
Moore admits when Guest was first diagnosed, she was worried he would injure himself on the farm.
As he neared retirement age, she encouraged him to sell the farm and buy a house so they could travel.
Their adventures have included buying old cars at auctions in the UK and using them to travel around the UK and Europe. Last year, they went to Mexico, where the friendly people were a highlight, Guest says.
But while international travel remains on the cards, retiring to a small urban section didn’t quite work out, Moore says.
“John was so bored, he didn’t know what to do with himself.”
Eventually they moved to their 2.4ha block in Matarau, where Guest can keep himself busy with a large shed and plenty of lawns to mow.
They also enjoy connecting with others through Northland Red Tulip, where people are friendly and helpful.
Moore says the group is a great way to connect with others in a similar situation and the caregivers’ support group is all about helping one another with advice.
Keeping active both physically and socially seems to be one of the best ways to keep symptoms at bay, and the pair are happy to show how life doesn’t have to stop, she says.
“When John and I decided to go overseas and travel, I think his family were horrified. But it’s all about educating people and getting knowledge out that it’s not the end of the world.”
A turning point was when Guest learned to laugh at his Parkinson’s symptoms, Moore says.
To mark World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, a one-day seminar in Te Kamo encourages learning, sharing and reconnecting, with experts covering all aspects of Parkinson’s.
The event also includes a buffet lunch, raffles and the auction of a quilt. Entry is $40.
Also on April 11, from 6pm, a Spark the Night event will raise awareness of Parkinson’s at Whangārei’s Canopy Bridge, with the bridge itself also to be lit up in Parkinson’s blue for the event.
Contact Vicki Sadgrove by email – vicki.sadgrove@parkinsons.org.nz – to participate in either event.