"Couple's Journey with Parkinson's Disease - Steven and Laurine Croasdale"
Stephen and Laurine Croasdale met in Paris in 1980, during an Alliance Française class. "I was in class when the teacher announced another 'petit kangourou,'" recalled Laurine, now 66. "Another little kangaroo."
Stephen, meantime, remembers being introduced to the "petit kangourou" by their teacher. "I'm not sure she was impressed with my Amco jeans and flannelette shirt and desert boots," he quipped, reminiscing about his travel attire.
Laurine's father had transferred from Perth to Paris for work, prompting her move to the French capital. Stephen's travel plans were momentarily derailed as his budding relationship with Laurine took shape, as he opted to remain in Paris instead of joining his friends in Greece.
Their relationship blossomed, and they wed in London before returning to Australia and settling in Sydney. The couple rented in Neutral Bay and Mosman while Stephen worked as a chef, and Laurine freelanced in publishing. They welcomed their son in 1990 and later their daughter 18 months later. Faced with the need for more space, they bought a house in Forestville, where they still reside.
In 1996, Stephen began teaching full-time at TAFE, later moving to part-time work. By 2015, he found himself grappling with fatigue and a hoarse voice. As his symptoms persisted, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
"When I got the referral to a neurologist, I saw 'possible Parkinson's,'" Stephen recounted. It was World Parkinson's Day, and on the radio driving home, he heard John Watkins, former deputy premier of NSW, discussing his own experience with the condition. "My only impression of Parkinson's was Muhammad Ali bloated and faltering on his fiftieth birthday," he said. Upon researching the symptoms, he felt a surge of dread.
Laurine recalls the day Stephen's arm seemed frozen on the left side. "We eventually sought help from a neurologist, who shared the distressing news that there was no cure for the incurable condition," she said.
The Croasdales were quick to absorb the reality and seek support. Parkinson's NSW provided valuable resources and establishing connections with other patients. Stephen was encouraged to engage in activites such as joining a choir group to help his voice and physical fitness, and to see a speech pathologist. Adopting this proactive approach, he set himself goals, such as participating in the Step Up for Parkinson's activity-based fundraiser, and has since even surpassed his former level of fitness.
Laurine emphasizes Stephen's commitment to managing his condition for his family's sake as much as for his own health. In addition to continuing to care for herself, she has taken on new endeavors, such as guiding tours at the Art Gallery of NSW, volunteering with the Australian Children's Laureate Foundation, and spending quality time with her mother and close friends.
The couple remains hopeful and focused on making the most of each day. They have discussed the possibility of downsizing their home, yet also plan to visit their son in New York and Laurine's aunt in the UK. Laurine offers guidance for those receiving a Parkinson's diagnosis, advising them to stay hopeful and tap into the supportive community of patients and caregivers.
In recent Parkinson's research, promising developments have emerged, including stem cell transplants, cell death prevention drugs, and adaptive treatments approved by the FDA. While these advancements offer hope, further work is needed to create targeted therapies for young Parkinson's patients specifically focused on reactivating housekeeping functions in their brain cells.
- Stephen, upon his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, found solace and resources in support groups like Parkinson's NSW, which recommended activities such as joining a choir group, visiting a speech pathologist, and participating in activity-based fundraisers like Step Up for Parkinson's to improve his health and wellness.
- As part of their proactive approach to managing Parkinson's disease, Stephen has focused on fitness and exercise to maintain his health, surpassing his former level of fitness through activities such as choir groups and fundraisers, while Laurine has embraced volunteering ( such as guiding tours at the Art Gallery of NSW, and working with the Australian Children's Laureate Foundation) to maintain her mental health and well-being.
- Remaining hopeful and seeking support from other patients and caregivers has been essential for Laurine and Stephen in dealing with Parkinson's disease, a chronic medical-condition that affects the brain and is often associated with a decline in health-and-wellness, mental health, and fitness-and-exercise. Recent scientific advancements, including stem cell transplants, cell death prevention drugs, and adaptive treatments, offer promising developments for the treatment of young Parkinson's patients and may eventually reactivate housekeeping functions in their brain cells.
