Transcript - Becky Hurd and Silvia Duggan's story

Becky Hurd was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 29. Becky and her mother Silvia Duggan talk about the family's reaction to Becky's diagnosis and how they support her.

Becky Hurd and Silvia Duggan's story

Becky:

My name's Becky Hurd. I'm 33 years old and I was diagnosed with Parkinson's 4 years ago, when I was 29.

It was completely out of the blue, even though I'd had a barrage of tests. I'd had X-rays, nerve conduction studies, DAT scans, MRI scans, to be told that there was nothing orthopaedically wrong with me.

I was sent to a neurological consultant who immediately said: "It's Parkinson's". I was in shock, completely in shock.

My husband was with me. We were told: "We'd like to send you to the the QE in Birmingham, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital". I was sent there and again I was told: "Yes, it's definitely Parkinson's".

The worst part about it wasn't being told I had Parkinson's, it was telling my family.

Becky's mum, Silvia:

We first noticed Becky wasn't playing the piano. She was a person that used to play every morning, usually about 7 o'clock. Her dad said to her: "You're not playing the piano any more". And she said: "No, I can't". So we said to her: "What do you mean you can't?" So she said: "Well I can't get my left hand to operate".

So we immediately thought that - she'd had a very bad fall and a very bad break of the wrist - and we immediately thought it was something to do with that.

After some while they did some tests on her and they were still unsure at the local hospital. So they sent her up to the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham, and the consultant there said: "I'm sorry to have to tell you that you have Parkinson's".

Obviously both Ernie and I were absolutely devastated.

But Becky has always had in mind that she wanted a child, or children. And luckily enough she's had Molly, who's now 18 months old.

What else can I tell you? She finds certain things difficult. When Molly was first born, she had great difficulty in holding her correctly. She finds it a little easier now that she's bigger.

Becky:

I still can't change her bum.

Silvia:

No, you're still unable to change her nappy. That's why Ernie and I do quite a bit for her.

Becky:

To be fair I don't mind that though!

Silvia:

The thing to understand is that it doesn't always happen to elderly people, it can happen to young people as well.

I just wish that as time goes by that they'll find a cure for Becky.

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