An Unusual Twist of Fate

Lloyd and Heather MacLeod have been married for almost 57 years. In an unusual twist of fate, both of them have Parkinson’s disease.

Lloyd recently helped organize a golf tournament where they raised over $150,000 for Parkinson’s research.

Lloyd and Heather are pleased to support the Shake It Up for Parkinson’s fundraiser that is taking place at the Capitol Event Theater on September 6, 2013.

To help people better understand Parkinson’s, Lloyd and Heather agreed to answer a few questions.

1. What were your first Parkinson’s symptoms?

Heather – Trembling in one finger and then in the left hand.

Lloyd – Trembling in my right hand. In that Heather already had the sickness, I diagnosed myself before I went to my doctor.

2. When were you first diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

Heather – In the fall of 1998.

Lloyd – Twelve years ago when I was 74 years old.

3. How has Parkinson’s affected your day-to-day activities?

Heather – I have had to cancel many of my social activities. [Note: As Parkinson’s progresses, voice level can reduce significantly making it difficult for others to hear the person. Heather’s voice is very weak.]

Lloyd – Not greatly as yet but I am gradually getting stiffer and I get tired more quickly than I did prior to getting the sickness.

4. Is there anything you can do to slow the progression of the disease?

Heather – Regular exercise is probably the most important as well as working with a speech specialist to help with keeping your voice strong.

Lloyd – I think it is important to keep exercising. I also think you should be on a diet.

5. In your opinion, what is the main misconception about Parkinson’s?

Heather – The sickness is not well understood by the general public in spite of the fact several celebrities have had the sickness. Most people think of people with PD as being shaky and not able to do much.

Lloyd – PD is not well understood by the general public or the medical profession except doctors who specialize in the sickness. When I told my MD I thought I had PD he said, well, its not affecting your life style, so you should just forget about it until such time that it becomes a problem and then we can do something about it. Of course, this is not what should happen and you should have treatment immediately.

*Don’t miss a special evening with rock legend Tom Cochrane in support of the Morton & Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital. Set in the fabulous Capital Event Theatre, the event will include an open bar, great food, a silent auction and amazing entertainment.