Middlewich Parkinson's campaigner 'embraces' condition and thrives

Nicky Parsons moved to Cheshire from Berkshire six years ago with her husband, Gary, after retiring her from her job as a primary school teacher.  

While she was looking to slow down a bit, the 60-year-old was used to being active, so joined St Michael’s Church choir, and took a job as a teaching assistant.

“I missed being around the children, but I no longer want to take the stress home with me,” she said.

Nicky's daughter, Chloe, convinced her work colleagues at PMD Business Finance to dress in blue for World Parkinson's Day on April 11, and raised £500 (Image: Chloe Parsons) 

But not long after settling into her new life, then aged 57, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The mum-of-two struggled at first, describing the experience as ‘strangely lonely’, despite having a close and loving family around her.

Nicky found she was spending a lot of time worrying about the future, but after about a year, something inside her changed.

She said: “I eventually realised: I can’t change this, so I may as well embrace it.

Since then, every opportunity which has come her way through Parkinson’s, she’s snapped up.

Nicky is blessed with a large and supportive family (Image: Nicky Parsons)

“And there have been so many," she said.

“I’ve modelled at an event called Catwalk to a Cure; I’ve featured in Parkinson’s UK magazine; I’m on lots of volunteering groups and committees. All sorts of things.

“For this World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, I asked Simon Drew, the rector of St Michael’s, what where the chances of us being able to light the church up blue. He said there was every chance, and we did it.

“It was a real community effort. The church building team, Ian and Graham, got involved, and a local contractor, Paul Hassall, generously gave us his time to do the electrics.  

“Huw Gray Builder’s Merchant in Middlewich donated about £150 of timber.

“Once it was done, it looked wonderful. Everyone was talking about it. Next year, we’re talking about going even bigger and brighter.”

Nicola’s drive to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease is certainly working.

For World Parkinson's Day, the congregation at St Michael’s held an event at their café, Number 28, which they decorated with blue balloons, blue fairly lights and flags, and ate blueberry muffins off blue plates with blue napkins.

Nicola’s daughter, Chloe, even surprised her mum by sending her a picture of everyone in her office, all dressed in blue, raising £500 for Parkinson's UK into the bargain. If you'd like to make a donation, you still can here. 

Nicola added: “Since I stood in front of the congregation in both services the Sunday before World Parkinson's Day to tell everyone what we were planning, so many people are actually talking about Parkinson’s.

“They weren’t before, including me. There’s a sort of stigma attached to it. People think of it as an old persons’ condition, and it’s not.

“It changes how you can move around, but it’s doesn’t change the person you are inside.

“When you talk to people, you can sense people’s pity, but there’s no need.

“It’s hard to believe I’m saying this, but I’ve actually had so many more opportunities since I’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s than I ever had before. It’s hard to justify, but it’s true.

“Yes, I still worry about the future. But there’s nothing to say I can’t live a great life now, and I fully intend to. I’m embracing every opportunity I can.”