Bob Quilietti's story

After being diagnosed with Parkinson's, Bob Quilietti retired from being a magician and has started running lifestyle management courses for people with Parkinson's.

Read more from Bob on the changes he had to make and how his life is now.

Initial signs and symptoms

"I first began to realise something was wrong about 5 years ago.

"I lost my sense of smell and began to get slow and awkward in my movements.

"My energy levels plummeted and even though I was exhausted, I was unable to sleep.

"I remember watching a television programme a few years before, where one of the characters had Parkinson's. He had lost his sense of smell and was quite stiff and slow. That stayed with me when I began to develop my symptoms.

"This went on for about 2 years. I think I always knew it was Parkinson's, but I was unable to accept it, so I just lived in denial.

"Eventually, my wife managed to convince me to see a doctor."

Diagnosis

"When I finally went to see my GP, he was great. He asked me what I thought it was, and then agreed with me that it was likely to be Parkinson's. He then referred me to a neurologist.

"6 weeks later, at the age of 54, a consultant confirmed my diagnosis.

"At this stage though, the diagnosis seemed irrelevant. I had known for a couple of years that something was wrong. The neurologist's conclusion seemed to be nothing more than a process of labelling, a name tag to pin onto a cluster of increasingly unpleasant symptoms.

"I remember feeling quite scared. At the time, I was a very successful magician in Scotland, and loved my job.

"I was devastated to find that my fine motor skills were diminishing. I couldn't see how I could carry on when I was being told that I wouldn't get better and that there isn't a cure."

Life goes on

"After a lot of research and trying to find out as much as I could about the condition, something great happened to me. I started a lifestyle management course for people with Parkinson's.

"I now feel like I have the ability to deal with my own long-term condition, and have even started running my own lifestyle management courses 3 days a week.

"Although I've officially retired as a magician, I still do 2 or 3 children's parties a month in my local area. It isn't as pressurised as when I was doing 50 a month, and I really enjoy them.

"Being diagnosed with Parkinson's has made such a dramatic change to my life. At times I'm glad I've got it, as the change has been so good for me. That never would have happened if I hadn't been diagnosed.

"This is the first time in 30 years that I've worked in a team, and I feel privileged to be part of it. I literally walk into work with a smile on my face and feel great."

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