Parkinson's is a non-curable neurodegenerative disease. Jennifer Walker shares her story about living with the condition.
Watch the video above to hear Jennifer's Parkinson's story
Jennifer Walker has lived with Parkinson’s disease for ten years. The mobility disorder depletes her ability to walk, cook, and complete simple tasks such as writing her name. Her symptoms started small, but soon her body was involuntarily swaying and shaking.
“It wasn’t until others started to notice,” said Jennifer, “that I knew I should be seen… it was embarrassing, I didn’t know what it was.”
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects specific dopamine neurons that are responsible for mobility. Symptoms include involuntary tremors, rigid limbs, walking and balance problems, and emotionless expression. Nearly 60,000 people are diagnosed with PD in the United States annually, with several elderly hospital visits due to serious falls caused from undiagnosed PD.
According to the National Institutes of Health, PD has no known cause. However, studies confirm that PD has a higher occurrence with aging. Patients often feel a loss of control of their life, significantly increasing chances of depression and cognitive decline.
Although treatable, there is no cure for PD. In the last 50 years, very little progress has been made in PD. The primary treatment is medication, but has shown to wear off or lose effectiveness after prolonged usage.
After taking the medication for ten years, Jennifer still struggles. A new treatment is necessary to help keep her symptoms under control. In the coming months, Jennifer starts a procedure called deep brain stimulation. The surgery involves implanting electrodes onto specific areas of the brain, producing impulses to regulate the abnormal impulses involved with PD. The pacemaker-like device is extraordinarily effective in treating the uncontrollable tremor movements seen in PD called dystonia.
A breast cancer survivor and Army veteran, Jennifer assures others this is just another challenge to face and to remain strong.
“Not with just Parkinson’s,” she advises, “but with any medical problem. If it leaves you feeling less than you always expected to be– it’s okay. You don’t have to be all that you once were. Take what you have and do what you can do with it.”
Jennifer Walker is a breast cancer survivor, Army veteran, and Parkinson's survivor. (Photo: Kami Miles)
For more information on Parkinson’s disease, you can visit https://www.parkinson.org