Max Talks About Living With Parkinson’s

When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease about 18 months ago, Max Mara said he felt as though he’d been whacked over the back of the head with an axe.

“Knowing what I do now, I think it goes back 10 years,” Mr Mara said.

“I’m deteriorating quickly.”

He is noticing changes but said his biggest problems at the moment are battling to walk and pain at night.

“I wake up every night between probably 1 and 3, regardless of what medication I’ve had,” he said.

“Sometimes if I get up and take some osteo panadol I can ease it enough to get back to sleep.

“Other times I walk around the house before going to sleep on the lounge so I’m not annoying Robyn.

“She’s got to put up with me. “

Filling out forms can be difficult due to the fact that Maxi’s fingers and hands don’t work as well as they once did.

“I’ve got very slow. Robyn used to always say, “For God’s sake slow down,” because I would be half a block ahead of her, but now I’m slower,” Mr Mara said.

“I have to be careful turning around and that otherwise, I could fall.

“A lot of people don’t understand it and they think, “Oh, he’s drunk”.

“When I was diagnosed I told my daughter, who lives in Queensland.

“Her husband’s mother was in nursing and she said, “Tell Max to contact the Parkinson’s Support groups,” which I did and found it very helpful to talk to others in similar situations.”

Mr Mara said that every person with Parkinson’s has slightly different issues, but it is good to talk to people in like situations.

He attends one-hour exercise classes at Mercy Care each week and uses the exercises at home as well.

When he’s had a very bad morning, doing the exercises can help ease the tightening of his muscles, and free his movement.

Max said it was a shame that more people didn’t attend the meetings, given that there are around 17 people living in Young with Parkinson’s.

“We’re only getting four or five at a meeting,” Max said. “When services are there, we should be using them.”

Max said there was little that the community could do at this point other than being aware and help create awareness of the condition.

“Be nice to us,” he said.

“And show tolerance. We don’t do things as fast.”

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• Health & Wellness