'My fear was confirmed when I was told I had Parkinson's at 45 - but the biggest feeling was relief'
A Black Country woman who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at just 45 years old has told her story of "hiding away" as her symptoms took hold, her relief to finally be diagnosed - and raising money towards a cure.
"It was like joining a club I've never heard about, and one with a lifetime membership" - that's how Faye Boucher described being diagnosed with the rare form of Parkinson's known as Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD).
Faye, a quality and access officer with Wolverhampton Council's Education Team, from Sedgley, was only 45 when she received a preliminary diagnosis, only a year or so after experiencing its first symptoms.
Now, Faye is sharing her story of living with the disease to help raise awareness of the condition and its symptoms.
Faye, who was formally diagnosed in September last year, said: "When I look back, I started to notice symptoms back in 2022. I already had arthritis in both knees so I put the stiffness in my legs down to that.
"I became embarrassed by how what turned out to be YOPD was changing me; I stopped swinging my left arm when I walked, my steps became a slow shuffle, and I would avoid eating out as holding a fork was a challenge."
Parkinson's is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years. Symptoms vary but can include tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, mild memory and thinking problems, sleep disorder, pain, anxiety and depression.
Faye continued: "I learnt to adapt – I would order sandwiches, put my weaker hand in my pocket, and reduce the time I left the house.
"But because I tried to hide away as much as I could, I lost the confidence to go out alone."
Faye spoke to her physiotherapist at work and her GP before being diagnosed with YOPD by a neurologist. Faye said that while she was upset, she also felt relief as she "finally knew what was wrong".
She said: "Obviously I was upset, but the biggest feeling was relief, as I finally knew what was wrong.
"After years of suffering with health and anxiety and worrying about the slightest thing, it's surprising how you cope when your fears are confirmed.
"I took time off work and returned in November. My manager and work colleagues have been a great support and made coming back easy."
Faye, now 46, laced up her walking shoes to take part in a sponsored walk in October, raising over £1,000 for the charity, Cure Parkinson's, which funds important research and has also found valuable support from Parkinson's UK, which provides support and guidance for people with Parkinson's and their families.
Faye continued: "I hope to become more actively involved with Parkinson's UK to help make a difference in the lives of people with Parkinson's."
For more information and support about Parkinson's and YOPD, please visit parkinsons.org.uk/.
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