Parkinsons disease - Help improve Stuart's life

My very close friend Stuart Hedge is suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Stuart is 58 years old and has suffered this insidious disease since he was 41. I will explain more about Stuart and the impact of the disease; however, the point of this page is simple. It is to try and raise money that can be used to assist Stuart with expenses that he can not afford, is not covered by Govt. support services, NDIS or other agencies, and is beyond the means of his very modest income protection.

 

Any money raised is to assist with lifes most basic needs, including dental, medical, medication, food and other expenses. Please consider if this were your relative. Even a few dollars would be appreciated.

 

Stuart is a man who I have known for about 25 or more years. When I met him, he was a picture of health, training across many disciplines, and working multiple jobs to get by. He has always helped others and never backed away from a challenge. Little did he know his biggest challenge lay ahead!

 

I have never heard Stuart complain or say, 'Why me?' but accepted this debilitating disease and tackled it head on. Since his diagnosis, he has continued to fight and maintain his health as long as the disease allows him. Stuart has had surgery where an electrode has been implanted in his brain to control his tremors. He still struggles to walk. His speech has deteriorated to the degree that he finds it difficult to communicate verbally. 

 

This disease has cost Stuart his marriage, independence, and modest yet hard-earned lifestyle. He now lives in shared social housing, where he struggles to afford essential food items, medical and dental care, clothing and other basics. Minor tasks are challenging, and his social life is almost non existent.  Every activity is now a struggle and maintaining self care is a monumental task, because of his tremors. 

 

I am starting this page with Stuart's blessing.  He is not looking for significant amounts of money and understands the financial pressures of everyone in the current day.  Any sum, no matter how modest may assist him in maintaining his dignity (what is left) and remove some burden of financial support from others who have been supporting him until now.

 

Stuart is a proud man and a great human being, and I humbly ask for any assistance you may give to enable him some of the same freedoms we all enjoy every day, and that has been taken from him because for some reason Parkinson's disease chose Stuart. It could be any one of us at any time.

 

I will not try to explain Parkinson's disease, but please watch the video below, or other resources available on the internet which explain Parkinson's disease, and try to envisage the struggles Stuart has and why this page has been started.  It is not a money grab.  

 

Thank you for your consideration.