Tenterden man says 'one day there will be a cure for Parkinson's'
A man from Kent who has been living with a diagnosis of Parkinson's has said he tries to stay active and positive every day.Richard Harvey, from Tenterden, also said he was confident one day a cure for the condition will be found.World Parkinson's Day is on Friday, with events organised to highlight awareness of the condition and the help available.Mr Harvey says, despite occasional "dark thoughts", he always tells himself "life could be far worse".
"As long as I can continue to go to jazz concerts at Ronnie Scott's, and the theatre and meet up with old mates for lunches, a positive approach and a supportive partner as I've got with my wife Helen, it is absolutely key to combating the disease," he said."Because one day there will be a cure."
He said staying active has been key to his approach to Parkinson's."All the literature I read said vigorous exercise for at least two and a half hours every week could help to slow the disease's progression," he said."Every Monday I have a fitness session with an ex-army physical training instructor at the Tenterden Boxing Club, on Fridays I work with a specialist Parkinson's trainer and I go on an organised walk each Wednesday."
Parkinson's is a condition in which parts of the brain become damaged over many years, affecting speech and movement.Famous names affected by the condition include comedian Billy Connolly, the musicians Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Diamond and Linda Rondstadt, and the actor Michael J Fox, who campaigns and fundraises in a bid to find a cure.As part of World Parkinson's Day hundreds of people around the UK will join together to sing Gloria Gaynor's disco classic I Will Survive from 13:00 BST.
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