Vicky first noticed it in her shadow. In 2018, walking near her home north of Port Perry, she saw that her left arm wasn’t swinging. 

At first, she thought it was physical. She went to physiotherapy, massage therapy, osteopathy. She kept telling them: “My brain can’t communicate with my left arm.” 

By December 2021, she had her answer: Parkinson’s. 

When the body doesn’t listen 

Vicky is a Pilates teacher and personal trainer. Her left arm began to deteriorate. Washing her hair, tying her shoes, doing up buttons became slower and harder. 

When she started medication, things got better. She had full use of her left arm again. But now, the symptoms are coming back. 

“At first, I was trying to hide it,” Vicky says. “But now, because it doesn’t show up all the time, I still feel like I’m hiding it, even if people know.” 

People treat her the same as always, which is great. But sometimes she wonders if they’ve forgotten. When symptoms do pop up, she worries about what people think. 

Finding connection from far away 

Vicky lives in a rural area, far from big cities and Parkinson’s programs. She attends Parkinson Canada webinars and reads everything she can. 

After her diagnosis, she created a WhatsApp group with friends who also have Parkinson’s. She calls them her “Parky brothers.” 

She’s done the 50km Fundraising Your Way walk for the past couple of years. Last year, she got more people involved, and it helped her feel more connected. 

Keep moving forward 

Vicky’s advice? Take your meds. Listen to your neurologist. Exercise. Eat healthy. 

“Talk to people. Don’t hide it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Have someone you can talk to, whether a spouse or a good friend. It helps mentally.” 

Parkinson’s is hard. We’re here to help. Call Parkinson Canada’s information and support at 1-888-664-1974 or visit parkinson.ca/resources/support-line.