Nicky's Story

"I knew something was wrong when I was 21. It was a really busy time for me, I was buying my first house, and started a new job. It was a lot, I enjoyed the challenge. But I didn’t feel right. I was really anxious and started to shake. I would go to the shop and have to leave because I was too overwhelmed. I didn’t know what was causing it."

"It wasn’t until I was 34 when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. At first I was relieved I had a diagnosis. It was a real fight to get my symptoms taken seriously. The first doctor told me I was exaggerating and doing it to myself. It was a long journey and I think it was partly because I didn't have all the well known Parkinson’s symptoms - but as we know everybody’s symptoms are very, very different.

"The shaking at the time was horrendous. I couldn't cut food. I couldn't hold a cup of tea. I couldn't fasten buttons or my shoes. Trying to feed my youngest was the worst. I had to surround myself with cushions. It was really difficult. 

"The hardest part of having Parkinson’s for me is accepting you've got Parkinson's and wondering what the future will hold for my family. I’m always tired and in constant pain, which is frustrating when you have small children. I want to take them to the park and play with them. But sometimes I just can’t - I do try though.