As I approach my 80th birthday, I reminisce over my life which no doubt resembles the lives of many others. As always, there are “the good, the bad and the ugly” times. However, the majority of us recollect the good times – our first kiss, first love, new love, marriage, children’s and grandchildren’s births, school days, friends and first and in my case last jobs.

The bad and the ugly surface only occasionally and that’s how it should be.

Approximately ten years ago I began to experience some health problems with balance, walking, speech and tremours. Many attempts to resolve the problems here in the UK did not offer any solutions.

Six years ago during our annual visit to the USA family symptoms had progressed greatly. Through my son’s marriage, I inherited a lovely nephew who also is a doctor. His thorough review of my problems indicated a neurological disorder and I was immediately referred to a neurologist.

Within 24 hours I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and placed on medication to control the symptoms. Although my entire professional life was in the medical field dealing mostly with cancer data collection and analysis, I knew nothing about this disease. However, I was extremely relieved to find out what was causing all of these symptoms and not the white wine that I enjoy.

There is no cure for Parkinson’s. The only hope is that through research, some wonderful medical approach can be discovered for treating this life-threatening disease.

Therefore, in lieu of gifts and for those that would like to donate in celebration of my 80th, a donation can be made in my name to the American Parkinson Disease Association on this page or Parkinson's UK at https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

With your support, a medical solution in the UK, USA, or elsewhere would be a gift for all who suffer from this disease.