Twenty years ago John Schofield went to see his doctor because of tendonitis. During the examination, Schofield mentioned that his thumb and forefinger also felt stiff. Little did he know those words would lead to a life-changing diagnosis. Within days Schofield, then 33 years old learned he had early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
“I’d heard about it, but I didn’t know what that meant,” he said. “But I knew it was bad because everyone I talked to got quiet.” The reaction that Schofield encountered back then is fairly standard, even today.
“I’d heard about it, but I didn’t know what that meant,” he said. “But I knew it was bad because everyone I talked to got quiet.” The reaction that Schofield encountered back then is fairly standard, even today.
Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that impairs movement and emotional responses. In time, it leaves many patients completely disabled and as of yet there is no known cure.
A total of 1 million people in the U.S. live with the disease, according to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. The group is celebrating Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April.
They hope to better educate the public about Parkinson’s and expand the conversation around a diagnosis that moves beyond what might be perceived as a bleak narrative.
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