In 2001 my grandfather, Cliff Harrison (pictured left), was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The death of my grandmother in 2002 was a great setback to him but he was able to manage his Parkinson's quite well over the next few years as his symptoms gradually became more severe.
In 2007, recognising that he needed to live on just one floor, he moved from the large family home he had lived in for 40 years to a pleasant bungalow close to the centre of the village. Walking was now becoming increasingly difficult but he was able to walk the short distance into the village for almost a year.
After an extended stay in hospital in early 2008 his health deteriorated rapidly and he was forced to cease driving (a big blow). He then had a few weeks in a nursing home and was determined to become well enough to return to his bungalow, which he did in May 2008. As the closest family lived 120 miles away, he was provided with carers 4 times per day and, despite the occasional short visit to hospital, managed fairly well until April 2009 when he was urgently admitted to hospital. In May 2009 he moved permanently into a nursing home, such was the extent of his Parkinson's afflictions. In October 2009, he was admitted to hospital where he died aged just 75.
In 2007, recognising that he needed to live on just one floor, he moved from the large family home he had lived in for 40 years to a pleasant bungalow close to the centre of the village. Walking was now becoming increasingly difficult but he was able to walk the short distance into the village for almost a year.
After an extended stay in hospital in early 2008 his health deteriorated rapidly and he was forced to cease driving (a big blow). He then had a few weeks in a nursing home and was determined to become well enough to return to his bungalow, which he did in May 2008. As the closest family lived 120 miles away, he was provided with carers 4 times per day and, despite the occasional short visit to hospital, managed fairly well until April 2009 when he was urgently admitted to hospital. In May 2009 he moved permanently into a nursing home, such was the extent of his Parkinson's afflictions. In October 2009, he was admitted to hospital where he died aged just 75.
A shrinking world
Professionally, Cliff was a Mechanical Engineer who for quite a number of years travelled the world overseeing the installation of paper-making machinery worth millions of pounds, often spending weeks or months away from home. Over the course of his career he became a highly respected engineer and was much in demand by many engineering companies.
In his personal life, he did much for the church and the community, again being highly respected.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease just as he was looking forward to a retirement filled with playing golf, holidaying with Elsie, dancing with Elsie, enjoying his grandchildren, and continuing to serve both church and community. Combined with the loss of Elsie, Parkinson's gradually robbed him of all these ambitions, though he delighted in his grandchildren to the very end.
It was sad to witness such a powerful, energetic, decisive and capable man transformed into a weak, tired, indecisive and helpless man, old beyond his years. Despite all this, he maintained his wicked sense of humour throughout.
In his personal life, he did much for the church and the community, again being highly respected.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease just as he was looking forward to a retirement filled with playing golf, holidaying with Elsie, dancing with Elsie, enjoying his grandchildren, and continuing to serve both church and community. Combined with the loss of Elsie, Parkinson's gradually robbed him of all these ambitions, though he delighted in his grandchildren to the very end.
It was sad to witness such a powerful, energetic, decisive and capable man transformed into a weak, tired, indecisive and helpless man, old beyond his years. Despite all this, he maintained his wicked sense of humour throughout.
Famous people and Parkinson's disease
1 May 2011 saw the beatification of Pope John Paul II, who suffered Parkinson's for many years.
Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984.
Another celebrity sufferer in the public eye is the 'Back to the Future' star, actor Michael J Fox, most recently seen in 'The Good Wife'.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011, British star of film and TV, Bob Hoskins has just announced his retirement.
Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984.
Another celebrity sufferer in the public eye is the 'Back to the Future' star, actor Michael J Fox, most recently seen in 'The Good Wife'.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011, British star of film and TV, Bob Hoskins has just announced his retirement.
© Matthew Harrison 2012