Brave Dunshaughlin couple share their story of living with a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
A COUPLE from Dunshaughlin say the impact Parkinson's Disease has had on their life has been devastating. Family man Frank McElherron (75) describes being completely stunned by the shock diagnosis five years ago with both he and his wife Stella left unsure as what the future would hold spurring the couple on to set up a support group in Navan for people and their families affected by the disease.
“I had been very active my entire life. Stella and I ran a hardware business in Dunshaughlin and when we retired made the most of the free time we had. We'd go on a lot of sightseeing holidays and took long country walks,” remembers Frank, adding “It came to a point where I started to slow down and If we did anything at all strenuous I'd be exhausted for days after. I decided that I needed to go and get myself checked out.”
The Dunshaughlin man describes the moment he found out that he had the debilitating condition.
“I eventually went to see a consultant who came straight out and said I think you have Parkinson's. We were devastated, it was a complete shock. All I wanted was the ground to open up and swallow me.”
Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. There are over 12,000 people in Ireland who suffer from the condition. The diagnosis of the disease has a ripple effect for the whole family according to Frank's wife Stella.
“It impacts on every single part of his life and in turn my life. Frank is not independent anymore. While he remains relatively healthy because he's on a lot of medication together with an exercise regime there are lots of basic things that he can't do like putting on socks and tying his shoelaces. People with Parkinson's lose their independence and independence is so important. If he's active in any way he's totally exhausted and has to take a nap.”
Frank and Stella at home in their Dunshaughlin
“We set up the support group in Navan about four years ago because when Frank was diagnosed we knew nothing about Parkinson's and didn't know where to turn. The health centre in Dunshaughlin was very helpful but apart from that, we had nothing.
“It is totally voluntary, we don't get a penny of funding. We meet on the last Friday of every month in Teach Na Teamhrach for a cup of tea and a chat. We want other families coping with Parkinson's to know that they are not alone because you can feel very isolated.
Stella says that being a progressive disease the deterioration of motor function happens over time but the effects are life-changing. “Frank needs a lot of rest, he needs a minimum of 12 hours sleep and if he has a late night he's exhausted the next day.”
Frank and Stella will be joining thousands of others affected by Parkinson's Disease at a national protest outside Leinster House on World Parkinson's Day this Thursday to raise awareness and voice their frustrations on the lack of funding and resources.
“We have protested before and have met many TDS but there has never been any progress. We rely on corporate donations and fundraising and get no government help. We badly need funding and access to speech, physio and occupational therapy. There are five specially trained nurses for Parkinson's sufferers throughout the whole country, how can they help 12,000 people with the disease?”
Before the diagnosis, the couple were looking forward to putting plans into motion for their retirement as Stella explains.
“We had a whole itinerary of things planned for when we retired and suddenly the future we had envisioned had to go out the door. Frank has to make sure that he eats regularly and has to take an array of medication every day at specific times.”
The loss of independence and the relentless exhaustion on a daily basis takes its toll according to Frank. “We were business owners and we had a really full and active life together, that's all gone now. I just want my old life back.”
For more information on the Navan support group call 085 - 1677325