• Topic
• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> Work, career, benefits >> Work, career, benefits

Work,career,benefits

• >> Parkinson's disease >> Work, career, benefits >> Work, career, benefits

Work,career,benefits

• Clip
• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> Carers >> Anna - Interview 29 >> When Rafa's Parkinson’s disease was diagnosed Anna realised that everything about their future had become uncertain.

Her partner was diagnosed with PD 18 months ago. So far he doesn’t need medication and they have told very few people about the diagnosis

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 2 years or under >> Penny - Interview 17 >> Penny describes why she did not at first disclose her diagnosis at work and the supportive reaction when she did.

Although she was advised not to mention her newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease when she had to change her job she has found that disclosure was necessary. As a divorced woman she can’t help worrying about who will care for her in future if her condition deteriorates.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Nicolas - Interview 23 >> Nicolas is glad that he informed his occupational health scheme of his situation.

Diagnosed 4 years ago, Nicolas now takes a low dose of Mirapexin. He works full time. He experiences stiffness, tiredness and difficulties with walking and handwriting.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> DBS >> Khadim - Interview 38 >> Khadim applied for work but realised he was turned down because his tremor had been noticed.

Khadim’s Parkinsons disease was diagnosed in 2002. Although he was tried on many different treatments none of them helped. In January 2008 he was given Deep Brain Stimulation. This has been very successful.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 8-12 years >> Judie - Interview 20 >> Judie did not hesitate to inform her employers but their reaction was not at all what she hoped for or expected.

Although having Parkinson’s meant that Judie had to give up work, she has found herself doing all sorts of adventurous things she might never have done otherwise.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Humphrey - Interview 01 >> Humphrey saw no reason why he shouldn’t continue to work and was very open about his diagnosis. Later he wondered if this had been wise.

Humphrey was able to continue working as a writer, broadcaster and musician after he was diagnosed. Although his Parkinson’s was progressing fairly quickly he maintained a resolutely positive attitude, trying to solve each problem as it presented itself, such as voice recognition software when typing became difficult. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 2005.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> DBS >> Joe - Interview 32 >> Giving up being an actor left Joe uncertain and unhappy about who he was.

Joe developed Parkinson’s disease while in his 40’s. Deep Brain Stimulation when he was 60 produced a dramatic improvement in his symptoms.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 8-12 years >> Ruth - Interview 26 >> Ruth worked for 9 years after her diagnosis but then needed help from the PDS and her GP to persuade her employers to agree to give her medical retire

Ruth was diagnosed 9 years ago. She has tremor, stiffness, difficulty sleeping and tiredness. She has to pace herself. Some days are easier to cope with than others.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 8-12 years >> Natalia - Interview 18 >> Natalia could hide a lot of her problems but they led her to give up her post as a university lecturer.

Diagnosed in 1999, Natalia takes Madopar and Mirapexin but has times during the day when she feels weak, and has difficulty standing and understanding and participating in conversations.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> Over 12 years >> Tom - Interview 06 >> When Tom gave up work he achieved a sense of worth by raising money for research into a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Tom was 27 when he was diagnosed. His medication includes levodopa. He experiences ‘on’ and ‘off’ periods most days. During the on period he may also have dyskinesia. He set up the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> Over 12 years >> Geraldine - Interview 28 >> Geraldine continued to hold increasingly demanding executive jobs in the voluntary sector and was finally chief executive of the Charities Commission.

Geraldine was diagnosed in 1990. She was a single parent with three teenage children. She never-the-less succeeded in holding increasingly demanding executive jobs in the voluntary sector and was finally chief executive of the Charities Commission before retiring recently. And she is still working on many projects and committees.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 8-12 years >> Ruth - Interview 26 >> Ruth was helped in her decision to retire and though she feels it was the right decision, she misses things about work.

Ruth was diagnosed 9 years ago. She has tremor, stiffness, difficulty sleeping and tiredness. She has to pace herself. Some days are easier to cope with than others.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 5-7 years >> David - Interview 43 >> David’s forced retirement enabled him to explore his interests and take Open University courses.

When David was diagnosed with PD he was put on Requip (ropinirole). When he realized that he had a problem with hypersexuality he was changed onto Mirapaxin. He then got disastrously involved in gambling. Now he no longer takes dopamine agonists and no longer experiences any compulsive tendencies.

• Nerves & brain >> Parkinson's disease >> 3-4 years >> Nicolas - Interview 23 >> Nicolas finds even long trips relaxing when he is on holiday. Travel for work is more of a problem.

Diagnosed 4 years ago, Nicolas now takes a low dose of Mirapexin. He works full time. He experiences stiffness, tiredness and difficulties with walking and handwriting.