When many people think of Parkinson’s Disease they don’t think about it affecting people in their early 40s. But that is what happened to Debra Murray when she was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s after the birth of her son.
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Related story: Unity walk and run for Parkinson's NSW
This Sunday Mrs Murray will be an ambassador for the fourth annual Unity Walk & Run for Parkinson’s NSW in Wollongong.
“I just had my baby and I was about to start back at work after maternity leave and I started to notice that my toes were curling up. I couldn’t control them. They were just doing it involuntarily. Then my arm was sore typing. And I thought my back was sore all the time because I had a toddler to pick up. It took about 12 to 18 months to diagnose. The specialist said if I hadn’t been as bad as what I was with the symptoms he probably wouldn’t have been able to pick it up. Under 45 it is classed as young onset and usually it is hereditary. The only family member we know who has Parkinson’s is my uncle. I was 43. If I didn’t have medication I would probably be bed ridden and not be able to move much. I still shake every now and then. And I get cramps a little bit. I am starting to slow down a bit. It is catching up with me,” she said.
Under 45 it is classed as young onset
- Debra Murray
Mrs Murray said after she was diagnosed she discovered there were more people under 45 with it than she realised. A friend from school diagnosed in her 30s. By speaking about it as a Unity Walk and Run ambassador she hopes to raise more awareness.
“I was only told the other day there is 92 different types of Parkinson’s apparently. And it is such an individual thing. It affects everyone differently. And you don’t know how long it is going to take before it progresses. Exercise is the best thing. At the moment I am doing a program at Beaton Park called Beat It. It is subsidised by the government and you go through exercise twice a week. There is a special Parkinson’s program as well called PD Warrior but its not done locally.”
Mrs Murray said there is Facebook page called Tulip Bells people can join. She has walked in the Unity Walk & Run every year since it was started by local singer Jennifer Gray after her father, Alan Doughton, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six years ago and she realised how little was known and spoken about the disease.
This Sunday the walk and run that raises awareness and helps other families and people diagnosed in the Illawarra is expecting up to 300 people at Stuart Park. Registrations can be made at unitywalkandrun.com.au.
The walk starts at 10am on Sunday. Because of work on the Blue Mile Tramway and a Commonwealth Games trial the starting point will be in a different location closer to the lagoon and participants will do laps of Stuart Park.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
