Richelle's Dopamine Dunk for WPC YOPD

You can help change the life of someone diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD)

Many think PD is an older mans disease. But I like many others was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) at the age of 47. And there are many diagnosed under the age of 40, 30 and even 20 (known as juvenile onset). 

Breaking the stigma

So what has made a difference to my life living with PD? Eventually being open about it. I hid it for 2 years afraid of the stigma and judgment.

But I then attended the World Parkinson Congress in 2019  as I wanted answers. It was there that I met people who had the courage to face there diagnosis and take it on. It was there that I learnt what healthcare I needed to ask for back in Ireland. It was there that I learnt what I had to do to manage my PD as best as I could and ultimately to accept I had it and to be brave to say it. 

It was also a turning point for me when Imet lots of other YOPD from around the world. It made me feel less alone. It also helped me to live better with PD and become an advocate for PD at home. 

What is the fundraiser for? 

A number of us diagnosed with YOPD agreed to raise money to send people diagnosed with YOPD to the WPC in Barcelona next year. And it's my turn to fundraise as it's my birthday month.

What's the dopamine dunk and what's it got to do with YOPD?

So I've decided to do something I really don't like- jump in the sea everyday for the month of May. For those of you who know me...I am a serious land lubber and I DO NOT LIKE the cold or cold water!!! But I felt I should challenge myself if I am going to ask people in these current covid times to sponsor me.

Also I wanted to do something to highlight what Parkinson's is about. Parkinson's is caused by a lack of the neurotransmitter in your brain called Dopamine. Dopamine controls so many of our bodily functions. Things that stimulate us help us to produce dopamine and doing new things that challenge us is good for dopamine and our brains.

Hence Dopamine Dunk for #WPC4YOPD. 

I would be very grateful if you would support my fundraiser for the #WPC4YOPD in the Month of May as it will send many other people with YOPD to a new beginning of hope with living their best life with a incurable neurodegenerative disease. 

Thanks a million for reading this and your support.

Richelle

"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can" Arthur Ashe