Parkinson's: Guest Post Patrick Elvin

ME AND PARKINSONS

My new friend Nancy who I met through the Parkinsons on line choir last year has asked me to write a post for her wonderful Blog which I have been following since I met Nancy. So here goes .  My name is Patrick Elvin aged 72 and I am a British citizen living with my wife Susan, a dog and a cat in Southern Spain for the past 25 years.  I am a former Royal Naval Officer who retired early and became an English Language teacher,  but since moving to Spain have worked as a walking guide, a holiday home letting agent, jobbing musician and author of some 9 guide books, mainly on walking but also on architecture;  you could say a jack of all Trades but master of none ! 

Me walking in the local mountains last year and my last book

I was lucky in my journey with Parkinsons in that two good friends, both doctors, got together and convinced each other that I was showing symptoms of the disease.  Having gently broken the news, I got a provisional diagnosis in 2020 on the phone during the pandemic and was put on to the usual medications.  The symptoms I was displaying were the standard set ;  a mask face,  loss of mobility in the right arm and hand,  weak voice, fatigue, difficulty swallowing and poor balance.  I had to give up playing the violin and guitar and have taken up the tuba to compensate for this loss.  I now play in the village band along with my wife who plays the tenor saxophone.

The village band in performance;  spot the tuba player.

There is a tremendous amount of support for those with Parkinsons so there is no need to tackle this disease on your own.  There are inspiring people like Nancy who have taken a positive approach to life with Parkinsons.  I first spotted her amongst a computer screen full of members of the Parkinsons Choir and she stood out with her beaming face and vibrant personality.  I was emboldened to drop her an email as I did not know anyone who was a fellow sufferer and was so grateful she responded.  The underlying message to those with Parkinsons is to stay positive and as active as possible and you will continue to enjoy life.  For me that is staying involved with running the local hiking group, riding my e-bike, playing tennis,  writing another guide book, playing bridge, continuing my musical activities,  doing puzzles, and maintaining an active social life .

Yours truly centre stage with members of the Gaucin hikers :  below signing one of my guide books

The theme of this post is that Parkinsons is not a death sentence and that medication and an active lifestyle can contribute to reducing the impact of the disease,  as Nancy calls it Snarky Parky ! 

Footnotes From Corrine: Hiay, fellow Brit (Geordie) waving from Ahwatukee, Arizona. Such a pleasure to meet you and hearing about your continuing adventures with your wife in Southern Spain.  It's hardly surprising Nancy stood out, she is everything you say, inspiring and full of art mischief and tries to focus on the positive.