What Parkinson’s Means to Me
Anya Starling
Trustee
My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008 which is where we all, the rest of his family alongside him, were suddenly on a steep learning curve. As a sporty family, we are passionate about keeping active, and it was heartbreaking to watch my father’s mobility lessen each year.
I got involved with the charity initially to join the Solent swim, and then as a Trustees in order to make a difference to those in our local area with a recent Parkinson’s diagnosis. If our family had had a local support network of likeminded people nearby our understanding and journey would have been different.
Peter Burns
Co-founder and Trustee
For some time something wasn’t quite right, but I didn’t know what. The right side of my body seemed slower. When walking my right arm didn’t swing and my foot dragged. My handwriting had got increasingly small and illegible and I type with my left hand and delete with my right, often at the same time with disastrous consequences! My diagnosis in 2017 was short, sharp and to the point. I had Parkinson’s disease. The truth is I was kind of expecting this! My outlook became: “once you have identified a problem you can start to look for a solution.”
I realised that it also presented an opportunity. Yes, I had Parkinson’s, but it’s not a death sentence, it’s a deviation on the journey of life. The challenge is facing fears about the future head on and adjusting your outlook on life. A new chapter. An opportunity to refocus and be grateful for what is important in life and not to waste time on negativity. If this attitude to life was of help to my coming to terms with the diagnosis, then maybe it could help others?
Vicky Knight
Co-founder and Advisor to the Trustees
With over 15 years’ experience as a Neurological Physiotherapist, I have developed a strong specialist interest in supporting people living with Parkinson’s Disease. My core motto — a genuine “can‑do” approach — underpins every aspect of my work. I am passionate about helping individuals with Parkinson’s live life to the fullest, with confidence and autonomy.
Most people I meet want to live well and positively with Parkinson’s, but at times they need guidance, encouragement, or a fresh perspective. I firmly believe that as health professionals we have a responsibility to empower everyone with the condition to take on their challenges and discover what they can do.
The journey of Positively Parkinson’s began when Peter and I first discussed the idea of swimming the Solent — a challenge that quickly became our first major event. What started as a bold conversation soon inspired others to get involved, including people living with Parkinson’s and those who had a personal connection to the condition. Their courage, enthusiasm, and determination helped bring the event — and the wider mission — to life.
Today, my role within Positively Parkinson’s is to support and champion the work it does, providing professional guidance to ensure our projects and initiatives remain empowering, community‑driven, and truly focused on helping people with Parkinson’s and other conditions thrive.
The funds raised through our events and community support help drive meaningful programmes and opportunities, to help those living with Parkinson’s and their families to find the can do.
Allan Coe
Co-Founder and Supporter
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 which changed my retirement vision somewhat.
But since being diagnosed – what a journey it has been, taking on physical and mental challenges, meeting the most amazing people along the way whilst raising awareness and funds for research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s.
I love a challenge, but to swim across the Solent was so far out of my comfort zone. This was something I knew I had to work hard at, both physically and mentally, in order to achieve.
Those incredible people have become my second family who are training me, looking after my Parkinson’s and enabling me to take part in those challenges, some of whom also have the condition, are just simply the best and drive me on to keep taking part in such challenges.
Living my life to the full and being around these people inspires me and programmes my brain into living positively despite that Parkinson’s diagnosis and living with the symptoms that it brings.