December 27th, 2025, marked a significant anniversary for me. It has been eight years since a neurologist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary gave me that look—the one that says, "this is a difficult diagnosis"—and told me I have a life-changing illness with no cure. I’ve vlogged and blogged about that moment many times before, and I don't want to dwell on the past. But looking back over these eight years, I find myself asking: What has changed? The Physical Toll and the "Medication Paradox" As expected, some symptoms have worsened, and new "pests" have arrived. One thing I didn't anticipate was the side effects of the medication meant to help me. While Co-careldopa helps manage my tremors, it has introduced Dystonia—involuntary muscle spasms and "ticking" movements that are a challenge in their own right. My daily routine now involves a "cocktail" of support: Medication for neurological and joint pain. Antidepressants to manage the anxiety and depression that often come hand-in-hand with Parkinson’s. Treatments for acid reflux, asthma, and the general aches of "auld age." My mobility isn't what it used to be, but I am grateful that, most of the time, I can still move. I’ve learned that an exercise routine isn't optional—it’s a must to keep the legs moving. The Mental Fog While physical exercise helps the body, maintaining brain function is a different battle. Cognitive decline is real. Information retrieval is my biggest hurdle; words often evade me during conversations. I can be halfway through a sentence and totally lose the thread of what I was saying. It can be frustrating, but it is part of my reality now. Letting Go and Finding New Purpose It isn't all doom and gloom. I like to think of myself as a courageous wee soul with a huge heart and a lust for life. Admittedly, I’ve had to mourn the loss of old hobbies. Hill walking, Munro bagging, playing guitar, and painting are no longer safe or possible for me. However, as those doors closed, others opened. I have poured my energy into voluntary work within the mental health sector: Lanarkshire Links Sigma Free Mind Waves Podcast: Look out for "People Like Us," launching on January 30th! Parkinson’s UK Mental Health Group There is a unique healing power in helping others. It feeds your well-being in return; the more you give, the more you seem to receive. A Global Perspective These blogs are here to show that you can live with an incurable, degenerative disease and still be of immense value. If you don’t feel useful, the diagnosis hits much harder. Reading about others around the world has given me perspective. I’ve spoken with people in the USA navigating insurance hurdles and someone in Venezuela with almost no support. Most heartbreaking was a "fellow Parkie" in Africa who had to walk 10 miles just for basic pain relief, living in a community where some believed the disease was a form of possession. It was a massive eye-opener. It reminded me that while my struggle is real, I am not alone, and in many ways, I am fortunate. To the Newly Diagnosed It is natural to feel sorry for yourself sometimes. I've learned to allow myself a period of "mourning" whenever a symptom worsens. We are human, after all. If you have been diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD), please remember: This disease is as unique as your DNA. Your journey won't look exactly like mine. Find your tribe. Whether it’s on TikTok, Facebook, X, or Threads, there are communities waiting to welcome you with open arms. They will support you when you need it most. I don’t post as often as I used to, but it feels good to reconnect and update this page. I am still here, still participating, and still finding value in every day.

Making Every Day Count Making every day count is my top priority. Feeling grateful to be alive doesn’t just happen—it takes work. It must be earned. This wild beast of a disease doesn’t know what it wants. One day it attacks your movement, another day it’s your sanity—assuming there’s any left to speak of. I keep grasping for that feeling of worthiness. I ask myself, “How do I achieve the things I want to do?” Well, you have to be bloody adamant about it. Sometimes you’ve got to push through the barriers, go around them, or risk getting left behind. You have to believe that you are worth fighting for. If you want a meaningful life, you have to create it. That’s the simple truth. Life can pile on top of you—hit you with wave after wave of emotion until you feel like a ragdoll. But this is your life. Don’t give it away for free. I recently lost a good friend, and it affected me more than I can express. What it did do, however, was help me appreciate the life I still have. Sure, it might be filled with dodgy motor skills and cognitive brain fog, but it’s mine. And whatever I’ve got left will be lived how I choose—on my terms, in my direction. We humans are deeply emotional creatures. We may not always show it, but those feelings are there. Suppressing them doesn’t work. Right now, I’m working with a Glasgow-based charity called Mind Waves, collaborating with a talented group of individuals to create a podcast on mental health. We’ll be recording our first episode next week—more on that soon. I’m also volunteering with Stigma Free Lanarkshire, another incredible project led by warriors of mental health. All of these things help shape the man I am. ✨ Don’t let anyone dull your flame.

Living with Parkinson's Disease: An In-Depth Look at Symptoms and Medications Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson's disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, your face may show little or no expression, or your arms may not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson's disease symptoms worsen as your condition progresses over time. Although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms. Occasionally, your doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms. Medications for Parkinson's Disease: - Levodopa, the most effective Parkinson's disease medication, is a natural chemical that passes into your brain and is converted to dopamine. - Carbidopa-levodopa infusion, which involves the drug being infused into the small intestine through a feeding tube. - Dopamine agonists, which mimic dopamine effects in the brain. - MAO B inhibitors, which help prevent the breakdown of brain dopamine by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase B. - Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, which help prolong the effect of levodopa therapy by blocking an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. It is crucial to work closely with your doctor to tailor a regimen that provides the greatest benefit with the fewest side effects. This blog post aims to provide an overview of Parkinson's disease symptoms and medications. If you or someone you know is experiencing signs or symptoms of Parkinson's disease, please consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment..

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YOPD comes with so many issues in daily living, unless you have to deal with it or care for someone with it then its a very difficult thing to explain however i will attempt to in this blog. Lets start with one of the basic functions in life is taught to us at a very early age, it may seem a simple function but it dominates a lot of what i do in my life from socialising to networking to sustaining a healthy body. yes i am talking about the simple act of eating! navigating your way through this can cause a lot of stress, even popping out for a coffee with a friend seems s innocent until you have to research where you are going first, firstly are there steps? and if so how many would i be able to manage on any given day? where are the toilets and are they accessible for me ? i find some cups very difficult to handle and awkward to hold , then there is the actual food , sometimes the actual food can be an issue will i be able to eat the food without spillage (depends on how my symptoms are that day) . This is all before i am even out the door, these are all issues that people with disabilities are faced with on a daily basis and in my experience can lead to isolation Why would i put myself through the ordeal some people think there is an element of not caring about ones appearance when you have spots food spillage over your clothing i know for me that couldn't be further from the truth its embarrassing to see how you are looked at in public which brings me back to the point where some people will chose to isolate rather than negotiate the whole routine, leading to mental health issues . i am not blaming the world for my personal situation in fact i am very aware its no ones responsibility but its good to point out these issues This is just awareness a part of my daily life is Parkinson's Advocate it lets me share my day and gives me purpose as well as sharing my struggles with others . wait till i do the blog about male toilets having a tremor and using a urinal can seriously damage your health.

Although this was the 6th congress it was my first, i will bring you more on my experience once i have absorbed the whole event . In the course of the 4 day event i met so many people who inspired me not only down to their sheer determination physically... but also with spirit courage and fellowship. So many with all different symptoms levels of progression many languages and no barriers to hold us back in our drive for quality of life . i have to say thanks to my choir family for their support not only spiritually but also financially covering half of the cost i will be eternally greatfull for the chance to be their. a massive thanks goes to Jean Paul the boss man from radio Parkies who sorted out my accreditation and media pass throughout the event. and not forgetting chris ,Angie, Blake ,Lorie and the megastar that is Eric for hanging out with me and my BFF,s who were there chatting me over the days i was there you have no idea how much it helped with my social anxiety love you guys x Last but not least i am looking forward to let you know that you will be hearing more podcast, videos and talks on Voice therapy with myself and Andrea Malsom it was great to meet up after working virtually for a year.

I haven't really written a blog for some time not through any other reason than I have been dealing with depression. Many changes have come into my life and not always for the best, as I sit here and ponder over the last few months it all seems so surreal like I have been away looking back at myself. Who is this guy I don't know ? where has he come from? how did he get here?.... well that is not so easy to put in words because it's all about feelings! When things change in our life not always so easy to accept these changes for they can leave you with a sense of pain like you have never felt before isolation, loneliness, unworthy and bad are words that spring to mind many nights going over and over issues can lead to a sense of hopelessness and that is exactly how i felt. I have been through many dark times in my life but to lose ones hope has to be the utmost and darkest feeling of all to see no way forward but to exist can destroy you in a matter of weeks. For me the answer is therapy I have leapt from where i was to who i am now and i don't understand how it happened but i hope to over the next few months

After 6 years of dopamine agonists my head is so bad i have no choice but to take the chance to try and clear it. Its a complicated issue so if you want to know more on agonists then google it and you will get an idea of how it became. I am just over a week into the reduction phase and the withdrawals are in, achy body sweats and loads more, it messes with emotions and its not a good co host of stress but thats the problem! How do you stop stress or how do you not react to it.? Now after 3 weeks i finally had a bit of time to record what is happening so far.