'I found out I had Parkinson's after someone saw the signs while I was working'

21 April 2023 , 13:49

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Ian Perry was given a devastating diagnosis after he was approached by a doctor (Image: Ian Perry)

A dad was given a devastating diagnosis after he was approached by a doctor at the hospital where he worked as a maintainer manager.

Ian Perry was fixing the heating when the neurologist asked him if he had Parkinson's disease.

At first Ian did not believe him but after a short conversation, he was convinced to go home and make an appointment with his GP, Liverpool Echo reports.

Ian said: "He knew by my facial expression and by the way I was walking, it just left me stunned I could not get my head around what he was telling me. I just thought this could not be happening to me.

"I was due to retire soon and I told my wife who was more shocked than me. I would relive that conversation with the doctor over in my head."

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After being told he had Parkinson's Ian said he would think about the disease "every morning" and thought his life had changed forever.

Since his diagnosis, the 65-year-old says his condition has worsened but he does his best to prevent the effects through exercise.

In 2021 his friend saw that the Parkinson’s England football team was having a training session and encouraged him to go along.

He joined the Northern Lights football team, which consists of people with Parkinson’s Disease, and takes part in walking football matches across the country.

Ian, 65, said: “It was the first time in four years I had met other people with Parkinson’s Disease. It was such a relief to see others there to play football. My wife said I came back a different person.

“You can achieve so much, even if you have Parkinson’s Disease. The diagnosis can rob you of your ambitions but you can't let it change your life.

James McNeill