By Derek Schlennstedt
As a former naval marine engineer, John Young from Ferntree Gully has seen more horror than most.
He was stationed in the Persian Gulf following 9/11, in Bali at the time of the 2002 bombing, and in in Surabaya, Timor and Manus Island during times of civil unrest.
But, it was the diagnosis of Parkinson’s – an unexpected 50th birthday gift – that affected him most.
“It was on my wife’s birthday of my fiftieth year that they told me I had Parkinson’s,” John said.
“I didn’t know enough about it, but I knew it was a crippling condition.
“I thought ‘I’ll never be able to work again, how am I going to pay for the house?’ It was soul destroying and I felt completely hopeless.”
That initial self-diagnosis couldn’t be further from the truth, and In the six years since he was diagnosed, John has gone on to work in the fire and emergency management industry, and has a part time role working the fire panels at Rod Laver Arena.
The road since the diagnosis hasn’t been easy though, and John admits that it was a hard task coming to terms with the progressive neurological condition.
“Because there is no known cause or cure, it’s very difficult to come to terms with,” John said.
“The first thing I did after finding out was go to Google, and Doctor Google told me that Parkinson’s was fatal.”
“I refused to believe it, even though denial is a river in Africa. “
After a couple of years fighting the system, John became a patient at the Wantirna Health Movement Disorder Clinic, where he said he regained his confidence and learnt to play golf again.
It was also at his golf club where he earned his new nickname and motto – “007, shaken not stirred, and that’s what I live by,” he said.
“The thing that annoyed me the most when I got parkies, is that it started to affect my golf swing … I went out to a 20 handicap, but I’m now down to 12.3.”
“The assistance of the movement clinic in Wantirna and subsequently Parkinson’s Victoria has been brilliant … they give you a sense of confidence.”
One thing is certain – although acknowledging there are times where he needs to slow down, John is not sitting down and he won’t let the condition stop him.
This year he will be taking part in A Walk in the Park on Sunday 18 August.
Every dollar raised through A Walk in the Park helps to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s in Victoria, and advance the search for a cure, providing hope for now and help into the future.
”There is a lot of people, and I was one of them as well, who retreat and become embarrassed. When you can’t put a $5 note back in your pocket it’s embarrassing, but all you have to do is be aware of your restrictions and don’t push it.”
“I’m not going to die due to Parkinson’s; I’m going to die due to old age.”
The Walk in the Park will take place on Sunday, 18 August. For more information and to register visit: https://www.parkinsonswalk.org.au/
