Joining Horsham Parkinson's group

My name is Mike Hayden, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), on the first of July 2022, at the age of 59. My symptoms being a frozen left shoulder, for which I was receiving treatment in the form of physiotherapy.

Richard, my physio, during one of our sessions noticed a distinct tremor in my left arm and suggested I make an appointment to see my GP who subsequently referred me to a neurologist as he believed I was displaying all the signs of having PD.

On seeing the neurologist, or rather him seeing me, he informed, I had PD. My initial reaction was one of denial, PD is an old person’s disease, I'm not old so it can’t be true. Unfortunately following further tests, functional MR brain scan, the diagnosis remained true, the original diagnosis confirmed.

And so started a new and unexpected journey of discovery. At this point I believe it appropriate to share a little more of my professional background.

I worked in the Health Tech industry, in diagnostic imaging for 35 years, for a global corporation, enjoying a career that took me to many countries and various levels of the organisation. By nature, I am ‘stubbornly Independent’, denial remained.

My GP arranged for me to meet with Nikki Evans the Parkinson's nurse at Horsham Hospital and physiotherapy, also at Horsham Hospital. On a side note, I have found the physiotherapy and suggested exercise regime to be hugely beneficial.

Back to Nikki, on meeting Nikki, she explained her role in the treatment pathway and introduced me to the Horsham PD group and WAG (Working Age Group not the Wives and Girlfriends of the football Premium League).

Nikki suggested I would benefit from joining the WAG group, as they are of a similar age and have knowledge and experience that would ensure I would not be alone in my journey of discovery. Of course, being stubbornly independent I initially chose not to join, after all what could WAG provide that my wife and two sons could not.

I am almost three years into the journey, inevitably the disease has progressed and whilst Penny my wife and Olly and Sam my sons, have been a tremendous support and continue to be so, there are many things that can only be shared by someone who also lives with PD on a daily basis, such as Horsham’s WAG group.

In joining the WAG group for the first time, not only did I find a group of like-minded engaging people, but friendly and willing to address questions I had in an open and honest manner, nothing was too much trouble.

The meeting was in the Black Jug pub in Horsham, so a very sociable group, who have built a comprehensive itinerary of activities, which I can equally engage in.

My initial position of not needing to join the PD WAG group, I find to be wrong, I have already benefited, I am certain I will continue to do so.