Reference no: EM133385033

Angela is a 46-year-old female from the United Kingdom who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in 2013 at the age of 36. According to Angela, her symptoms include a deterioration in her capacity to carry out routine everyday chores like writing, typing, slicing up her meal, sewing, shampooing her hair, packing her shopping bags, getting cash or credit cards out of her purse, washing and drying herself, among other things. Also, Angela claimed that her sleep had been more frequently disturbed since receiving a PD diagnosis, and she now finds herself awake at night. Due to her PD, Angela also has poor energy levels. She discusses how she has to schedule her days and frequently takes naps to continue working and how it is particularly challenging for her around holidays and trips because she needs an extra day of rest.

Finally, she expresses her unhappiness with everything taking so long. She acknowledges that it is a PD symptom but expresses her desire to regain her health, saying, "I took my health and capacity to perform daily tasks for granted...this is my reality." Although Angela's initial reaction to receiving her PD diagnosis was depressing, she has become accustomed to it. She has resolved to make the greatest use of her resources while maintaining her optimism. She appreciates the support she has received from her loved ones, friends, and the Parkinson's Nurse Specialist who has assisted her in managing her symptoms and adjusting her medication. Angela is also appreciative of the Parkinson's community's assistance, which gives her a sense of hope and fortitude to carry on with her life.