Stepping Up with strength, support, and a spirit of adventure

by Eamon Daly

I emigrated from Ireland with my wife Michele, over 30 years ago. I’m now the proud father of two wonderful kids and Grandpa to number one grandchild with another on the way.

I have always loved the Australian way of life and the opportunities to explore its wonderful natural beauty. Getting a Parkinson’s diagnosis 18 months ago at age 62 was a shock to the system. I was a bit shell shocked really, as we had so many plans for retirement.

Prior to my diagnosis I had been developing symptoms for a couple of years – not swinging my right arm and a slight lag in my foot when walking, as well as a tremor and not being able to comfortably use a mouse for my PC.

I put it down to arthritis and getting older. I had to retire earlier than planned.  Later, my formal diagnosis made sense of it all.

My family has been great and so supportive. My wife attends all specialist appointments with me as two heads are better than one, and it can be a bit of information overload otherwise to be honest.

Being able to access Parkinson’s NSW – especially in those uncertain early days – has been great both for background information access to online support for me and the family when I was feeling pretty flat.

What totally turned things around was when my specialist recommended that I join a martial arts exercise program called Knock Out Parkinsons Disease (KOPD). It is facilitated by an exercise physiologist and involves high intensity interval training 3-4 times per week.

My mood improved almost overnight as well as my fitness, balance, and coordination, which the program focuses on. The surprise added benefit for me has been good friendship and support with a wonderful peer group of Parkinson’s participants.

I am currently feeling more in control of my life and am away for a month on a road trip camping along the Murrumbidgee and Murray rivers. Step Up for Parkinson’s is a great way for me to raise awareness and to motivate me with my exercise program whilst travelling.

“My Step Up for Parkinson’s goal is to do my strength and balance exercise whilst out in the bush, every day for the month of May! For people like me living with Parkinson’s, daily exercise like this is essential in helping slow down the progression of this condition.”

So my retirement plans did indeed change. But I am now fitter than I ever was in my 20’s, we are having fun continuing to explore Australia, and later this year we hope to tour India for 3 weeks.

As well as taking my medications, getting and keeping fit is what is making all the difference for me to keep living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Read more about Eamon’s daily Step Up activities