Well, I got diagnosed in 1997. Was diagnosed because i was poorly for a while, in a terrible state and falling backwards all the time and I just went into hospital and got diagnosed in November 97. I’d been married 20 years then and it was a big shock to find out that I had got Parkinson’s. I was only 38 at the time and I think for the next four years I was put on medication. I’m doing fine now, I take Madopar. I take a big one in the morning and six during the day. I take half Sinamed three times a day. I take Amantadinemantazin) twice a day, I take it. I take aspirin as well because I had a stroke last year in November.

So what difference has the medication meant?

I can sit up now, I couldn’t even sit up before and after (inaudible) falls ‘cos I can’t stand up and walk without the walker and now (inaudible) practice like 24 hour practice (inaudible)clinic’s on. I can’t think of anything else to say

Can you think about any experiences you’ve had in hospitals, particularly with medications in hospitals?

I was in hospital about eight year ago, had an operation and then I struggled because they wouldn’t come up with a bed for the theatre and they wouldn’t fit it under the bed saying that my husband had to lift us on to the bed (inaudible) and I couldn’t take the medications in the hospital, operation because I couldn’t take any water with it, I couldn’t take any tablets and then (inaudible) come out from theatre as well, – that was the difficulty there they wouldn’t (inaudible) they only had one porter for the ward for the whole ward and you had to get on the bed yourself so that was quite

Did it make a big difference not being able to take your medication while you were in hospital

Yeah because I couldn’t take it and (inaudible) couldn’t take (inaudible) medication

Ok, is there anything else with your experience of Parkinson’s and your medication that you’d like to share with us?

Wish I could talk properly, because (inaudible) talk a bit louder, explain

Ok, well thank you for your time and thank you for the information you’ve given us

I was at the Parkinson’s meet until I got high
I couldn’t move my feet but then I got high
There was no birthday treat and I know why
‘Cos I got high etc
I was booking my carer’s flights but I got high
She was coming to the gala night but I got high
She’s stuck at the airport tonight and I know why
I was going to kiss my carer’s face but I got high
She was bringing a birthday cake but I got high
The cake’s still in her case and I know why
I was going to raise a birthday glass but I got high
Drink champers with my lass but I got high
Now I’ve got no brass and I know why (and so on)
Now we are miles apart and I know why (so on)
Now we are miles apart
No message from her heart
She say’s I’m a silly old (laughter)
I was going to ring the boys at home until I got high
I lost my mobile phone
I can’t send a message home
I was going to make sweet love to you
Send you flowers too
My girl said we’re through
I was going to sing a song or two
So I lit up in the loo
The Holiday Inn bored me too
I’m messin’ with this song
I’m know I’m doing you’re wrong
But if you’re taking Parky drugs
You will be high, you will be high, you will be high