When Jen Harkness was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 48 years old, she faced what seemed like a devastating prognosis: only five “good years” left. A decade later, however, she is proving the prognosis wrong and living life to the fullest.
“I was shattered, absolutely shattered,” Ms. Harkness recalled of her diagnosis. “It’s a grieving process you go through. It’s the fear of what’s coming, because we don’t know what’s coming.”
Despite initial setbacks, including a lack of information and support at diagnosis, Ms. Harkness chose resilience. She found solace in scuba diving and made it her mission to challenge misconceptions about Parkinson’s, often associated with older adults and debilitating symptoms.
“If you Google Parkinson’s, you see an old man who is hunched over. You see the bad side of it,” Ms. Harkness remarked, emphasizing the need to change public perceptions.
Parkinson’s disease, which affects movement and mood due to insufficient dopamine production in the brain, typically afflicts older adults but also strikes younger individuals like Ms. Harkness and Jeff Smart, who was diagnosed at 51.
“People with Parkinson’s can still achieve and live big lives,” Mr. Smart asserted, having walked over 1,000 kilometers along the Camino Trail to inspire others facing the disease.
Professor Simon Lewis from Macquarie University highlighted the increasing number of younger patients and stressed the importance of early intervention and lifestyle management.
“If you are diagnosed in your 40s, this is a disease you are probably going to have into your 70s,” Professor Lewis noted, advocating for proactive health measures such as exercise, speech therapy, and access to support through initiatives like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
While challenges persist, including a lack of tailored resources for younger patients, Ms. Harkness remains dedicated to supporting others through their journey with Parkinson’s, offering hope and encouragement.
As awareness grows and support systems evolve, individuals like Jen Harkness and Jeff Smart continue to defy the odds, proving that life with Parkinson’s can be lived with vitality and purpose.