Documented as early as the 12th Century B.C. in Ancient Egypt, Parkinson鈥檚 disease (PD) was first extensively medically described in 1817 by English surgeon James Parkinson.

More than two centuries later, this progressive neurological disorder of the brain now affects more than 17,500 people in British Columbia and about 100,000 people across Canada.

As April marks Parkinson鈥檚 Awareness Month internationally, this time of the year presents a chance to educate the public about this incurable disease, which is projected to double globally by 2040.

Parkinson鈥檚 disease and its symptoms

Parkinson鈥檚 occurs when dopamine-producing cells in the brain deteriorate. Dopamine, an important neurotransmitter for nervous system functions, is responsible for regulating movements and emotions. The exact cause for the death of these cells remains unclear.

Individuals diagnosed with PD might exhibit common motor symptoms including tremors (shaking), slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, and impaired balance. Other less visible and non-motor symptoms frequently observed are fatigue, speaking difficulties, sleep disorders, and cognitive changes among other things. Some have also reported losing their sense of smell.

Despite the common symptoms associated with Parkinson鈥檚 disease, each individual鈥檚 experience varies greatly, with unique symptoms and requirements.

Researchers believe that Parkinson鈥檚 is likely caused by genetic and environmental factors. However, there鈥檚 still no clear understanding of what triggers the onset of the neurodegenerative disorder.

Commonly associated with older age, this progressive brain disease typically sees an increased risk of diagnosis as people grow older, with the average age being around 60. However, onset can occur as early as 40.

The risk of developing PD is twice as high in men than women but is known to progress faster and be more lethal to female patients.

Living with Parkinson鈥檚

Ross Lane, a retired industrial electrician living in Courtenay, was diagnosed last year with the neurodegenerative condition at 76 years old.

Feeling increasingly tired, Lane first met with a sleep doctor who diagnosed him with sleep apnea. After visiting a clinic in Nanaimo, he was given a machine to help him sleep, but after a few months, his condition didn鈥檛 seem to improve.

鈥淚 (went back to my doctor) and by that time I had clear symptoms,鈥� Lane said. 鈥淲hen I would reach for something, my hand would move very slowly. When I was writing, (everything) would get very tiny. After seeing this, my doctor said 鈥楾hat doesn鈥檛 sound like a sleep problem, it sounds like Parkinson鈥檚.鈥欌��

Struggling with various motor and non-motor symptoms, Lane said that some are more apparent than others.

鈥淲hen I walk, I stagger around like I鈥檓 drunk, but I haven鈥檛 had a drink in years,鈥� Lane said.

When asked how it was to live with Parkinson鈥檚 disease, the man explained it was as if somehow, his 鈥渕uscles forgot how to do stuff (he鈥檚) been doing forever.鈥�

Despite living independently, Lane finds that life鈥檚 most basic tasks often pose serious challenges daily.

鈥淣ormally, you wouldn鈥檛 really even think about dressing up because you would just whip your pants on or whatever,鈥� said Lane. 鈥淏ut when you have Parkinson鈥檚, you have much less mobility so I really struggle. That鈥檚 one of the reasons I went back to coveralls.鈥�

Some things that many might consider trivial, like flipping pancakes or cleaning one鈥檚 home, take considerably more time and energy for Lane to accomplish.

Regardless of these physical limitations, the retiree mentioned that one of the most debilitating parts of Parkinson鈥檚 is the isolating nature of this disease. After surrendering his driver鈥檚 licence for fear of causing an accident, Lane now feels trapped within the confine of his apartment.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of lonely because I don鈥檛 have anybody to talk to about it,鈥� said Lane. 鈥淓ven though I鈥檓 in a support group, we only meet once a month. I can鈥檛 walk as far or as quickly as before.鈥�

This loneliness is made worse by a lack of prognosis.

鈥淭he medical profession will not give me a prognosis and can鈥檛 tell me how quickly my disease is going to progress or (when I鈥檓 going) to be dead,鈥� Lane said. 鈥淚 feel a little abandoned.鈥�

Comox Valley resident Bev White shares a similar story to Lane.

In 2022, at age 75, she was diagnosed with PD after her partner, Paul Atterton, asked their doctor to take a closer look at White鈥檚 gait.

In the following month, the woman was diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 disease and Lewy body dementia - which is commonly associated with Parkinson鈥檚 and Alzheimer鈥檚.

鈥淚 think there were early signs if you knew that you were looking for. I think a lot of people don鈥檛 know (about PD鈥檚 symptoms,)鈥� said White. 鈥淚 was trying to learn how to play bridge because it鈥檚 supposed to be good for your brain, but for the life of me, I couldn鈥檛 (learn) anything beyond the very basics.鈥�

After sharing his life for the last three decades with White, Atterton has seen the state of his partner decline drastically over the past 12 months.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been two years now and there鈥檚 been a dramatic change, especially on the cognitive side,鈥� Atterton said. 鈥�(Her symptoms have just) exaggerated over time. The length of the awake day is shortened. Her shuffling is getting more (evident). There鈥檚 a lot of muscle stiffness, shortness of steps, loss of speech and overall confusion.鈥�

Atterton describes every morning as a 鈥渂usiness meeting,鈥� during which both review the day鈥檚 schedule, ensuring they stay within a 24-hour time cycle to avoid further confusion on White鈥檚 part.

Considering herself lucky to be sharing life with her loved one, White recognized the chance she had to have a supportive partner.

鈥�(Paul) is a rascal!鈥� White said laughing. 鈥淏ut he鈥檚 been absolutely amazing and incredibly patient in the last couple of years as we鈥檝e gone through all this.

鈥淗e makes me breakfast, lunch and dinner, and washes the dishes. He鈥檚 been very supportive and very patient. I can鈥檛 imagine where I would be without him.鈥�

Yet, underneath this unwavering support, the couple is increasingly feeling the ever-growing weight of this disease. Having to give up his own hobbies and social life, Atterton is now fully dedicated to White.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 say that selfishly or begrudgingly, but we鈥檙e not getting the support we need and I鈥檓 basically Bev鈥檚 24/7 health care system,鈥� Atterton said. 鈥淪he is not able to live by herself. If I wasn鈥檛 here, she鈥檇 be in the hospital today. Bev can鈥檛 manage simple things like putting out her medication, knowing what time of day it is or even what house she鈥檚 living in.鈥�

The hardest thing for Atterton is to witness the disappearance of his lover, day by day, and watch Bev slowly become a shadow of her former self.

鈥�(Everyday is just) like fixing a puzzle,鈥� Atterton said. 鈥淚 had Bev as a 1,000-piece puzzle and now she鈥檚 400 pieces of it. It鈥檚 changing dramatically every day more so in the last two months than it was in the last year.鈥�

Despite what the disease brings, White, Atterton, and Lane want to spread awareness about this progressive brain disorder.

鈥淧eople seem to be afraid to even ask me what鈥檚 going on, but I鈥檓 not embarrassed by (my condition,)鈥� Lane said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just the disease that I happen to have and I鈥檓 happy to talk about it. I don鈥檛 know if people are not curious or they鈥檙e scared to ask me questions, but I would say ask me about it if you鈥檙e interested!鈥�

For more information about Parkinson鈥檚 disease and to learn more about services and resources available in B.C., visit .

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