By Mike Pearson, News staff
When Kim Petrie started experiencing uncontrollable leg tremors and difficulties performing simple motor functions, she chalked it up to stress.
But her thoughts also turned to Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative disease that can cause movement disorders, fatigue, stiffness and impaired balance.
But at just 45 years of age, a Parkinson’s diagnosis seemed like a longshot. Petrie’s own family doctor wasn’t convinced that Parkinson’s was to blame.
But as the weeks went on, the symptoms continued. Petrie began having shoulder problems and difficulties using a knife and fork and putting her hair into a pony tail. The movement disorders manifested themselves on the left side of Petrie’s body.
During an April, 2011 trip to Florida, the Hamilton Mountain resident recalls leaving an airport in Orlando, where she saw a billboard featuring Michael J. Fox, a famous Parkinson’s ambassador.
After returning home, Petrie saw a neurologist and underwent tests, including an MRI. On April 28, 2011, Petrie was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease. A specialist confirmed the diagnosis in August of the same year.
According to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada, the body’s movements are normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.
Petrie was shocked by her diagnosis and the impact it would have on her life.
“It was like a bad dream,” she said. “Parkinson's is sort of categorized as an old man’s disease.”
Petrie has since learned first hand that simply isn’t the reality.
After receiving her diagnosis, Petrie, a mother of three, initially kept the news from friends and her children. After taking a new job, she found the stress unmanageable.
Petrie took a break from the hectic demands of her career for a few weeks. But she still struggled to accept her diagnosis and the changes that might be necessary in her life.
Drawing inspiration from the Light of Day Foundation, Petrie found the strength to tell her story and raise awareness for Parkinson’s. Led by singing superstar Bruce Springsteen, The Light of Day concert series funds research into better treatments, cures and supports for patients suffering from Parkinson’s and related illnesses.
Petrie was determined to help make a difference as well.
To this day, Petrie hasn’t met anyone as young as her in the Hamilton area living with Parkinson’s. But she knows it’s not just an old person’s disease.
““If I’m out there worrying about what to do, there’s got to be more people wondering what to do,” Petrie said.
To mark the two year anniversary of her unexpected diagnosis, Petrie will hold a charity fundraiser on April 28 at the Grand Olympia Banquet Centre in Stoney Creek.
The evening will include live music, comedy, a buffet dinner, silent auction, magic and celebrity guests. Tickets are $35 and doors open at 5 p.m. The fundraiser has been billed as Let’s Shake.
The event will feature live entertainment by Crank, Ray Lyle, Blind River, Ron VanSomeren, Mark Matthews, and Kim MacDonald.
Fundraising will support a named student sponsorship for Parkinson’s research. Proceeds will be turned over to Dr. Mandar Jog, director of the National Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence at London Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Jog, who treated Petrie, also co-authored the first Canadian guidelines on Parkinson’s disease with other leading Canadian movement disorder specialists and neurologists.
Today Petrie is successfully managing the disease, along with the demands of her career and family life. She works part time for Reeves Financial Services, a company that offers her flexible hours.
“I don’t get stressed out as much,” said Petrie. “Stress is a huge trigger for this disease.”
For tickets to the April 28 fundraiser, go to www.lets-shake.com.
By Mike Pearson, News staff
When Kim Petrie started experiencing uncontrollable leg tremors and difficulties performing simple motor functions, she chalked it up to stress.
But her thoughts also turned to Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative disease that can cause movement disorders, fatigue, stiffness and impaired balance.
But at just 45 years of age, a Parkinson’s diagnosis seemed like a longshot. Petrie’s own family doctor wasn’t convinced that Parkinson’s was to blame.
But as the weeks went on, the symptoms continued. Petrie began having shoulder problems and difficulties using a knife and fork and putting her hair into a pony tail. The movement disorders manifested themselves on the left side of Petrie’s body.
During an April, 2011 trip to Florida, the Hamilton Mountain resident recalls leaving an airport in Orlando, where she saw a billboard featuring Michael J. Fox, a famous Parkinson’s ambassador.
After returning home, Petrie saw a neurologist and underwent tests, including an MRI. On April 28, 2011, Petrie was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease. A specialist confirmed the diagnosis in August of the same year.
According to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada, the body’s movements are normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.
Petrie was shocked by her diagnosis and the impact it would have on her life.
“It was like a bad dream,” she said. “Parkinson's is sort of categorized as an old man’s disease.”
Petrie has since learned first hand that simply isn’t the reality.
After receiving her diagnosis, Petrie, a mother of three, initially kept the news from friends and her children. After taking a new job, she found the stress unmanageable.
Petrie took a break from the hectic demands of her career for a few weeks. But she still struggled to accept her diagnosis and the changes that might be necessary in her life.
Drawing inspiration from the Light of Day Foundation, Petrie found the strength to tell her story and raise awareness for Parkinson’s. Led by singing superstar Bruce Springsteen, The Light of Day concert series funds research into better treatments, cures and supports for patients suffering from Parkinson’s and related illnesses.
Petrie was determined to help make a difference as well.
To this day, Petrie hasn’t met anyone as young as her in the Hamilton area living with Parkinson’s. But she knows it’s not just an old person’s disease.
““If I’m out there worrying about what to do, there’s got to be more people wondering what to do,” Petrie said.
To mark the two year anniversary of her unexpected diagnosis, Petrie will hold a charity fundraiser on April 28 at the Grand Olympia Banquet Centre in Stoney Creek.
The evening will include live music, comedy, a buffet dinner, silent auction, magic and celebrity guests. Tickets are $35 and doors open at 5 p.m. The fundraiser has been billed as Let’s Shake.
The event will feature live entertainment by Crank, Ray Lyle, Blind River, Ron VanSomeren, Mark Matthews, and Kim MacDonald.
Fundraising will support a named student sponsorship for Parkinson’s research. Proceeds will be turned over to Dr. Mandar Jog, director of the National Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence at London Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Jog, who treated Petrie, also co-authored the first Canadian guidelines on Parkinson’s disease with other leading Canadian movement disorder specialists and neurologists.
Today Petrie is successfully managing the disease, along with the demands of her career and family life. She works part time for Reeves Financial Services, a company that offers her flexible hours.
“I don’t get stressed out as much,” said Petrie. “Stress is a huge trigger for this disease.”
For tickets to the April 28 fundraiser, go to www.lets-shake.com.
By Mike Pearson, News staff
When Kim Petrie started experiencing uncontrollable leg tremors and difficulties performing simple motor functions, she chalked it up to stress.
But her thoughts also turned to Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative disease that can cause movement disorders, fatigue, stiffness and impaired balance.
But at just 45 years of age, a Parkinson’s diagnosis seemed like a longshot. Petrie’s own family doctor wasn’t convinced that Parkinson’s was to blame.
But as the weeks went on, the symptoms continued. Petrie began having shoulder problems and difficulties using a knife and fork and putting her hair into a pony tail. The movement disorders manifested themselves on the left side of Petrie’s body.
During an April, 2011 trip to Florida, the Hamilton Mountain resident recalls leaving an airport in Orlando, where she saw a billboard featuring Michael J. Fox, a famous Parkinson’s ambassador.
After returning home, Petrie saw a neurologist and underwent tests, including an MRI. On April 28, 2011, Petrie was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease. A specialist confirmed the diagnosis in August of the same year.
According to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada, the body’s movements are normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.
Petrie was shocked by her diagnosis and the impact it would have on her life.
“It was like a bad dream,” she said. “Parkinson's is sort of categorized as an old man’s disease.”
Petrie has since learned first hand that simply isn’t the reality.
After receiving her diagnosis, Petrie, a mother of three, initially kept the news from friends and her children. After taking a new job, she found the stress unmanageable.
Petrie took a break from the hectic demands of her career for a few weeks. But she still struggled to accept her diagnosis and the changes that might be necessary in her life.
Drawing inspiration from the Light of Day Foundation, Petrie found the strength to tell her story and raise awareness for Parkinson’s. Led by singing superstar Bruce Springsteen, The Light of Day concert series funds research into better treatments, cures and supports for patients suffering from Parkinson’s and related illnesses.
Petrie was determined to help make a difference as well.
To this day, Petrie hasn’t met anyone as young as her in the Hamilton area living with Parkinson’s. But she knows it’s not just an old person’s disease.
““If I’m out there worrying about what to do, there’s got to be more people wondering what to do,” Petrie said.
To mark the two year anniversary of her unexpected diagnosis, Petrie will hold a charity fundraiser on April 28 at the Grand Olympia Banquet Centre in Stoney Creek.
The evening will include live music, comedy, a buffet dinner, silent auction, magic and celebrity guests. Tickets are $35 and doors open at 5 p.m. The fundraiser has been billed as Let’s Shake.
The event will feature live entertainment by Crank, Ray Lyle, Blind River, Ron VanSomeren, Mark Matthews, and Kim MacDonald.
Fundraising will support a named student sponsorship for Parkinson’s research. Proceeds will be turned over to Dr. Mandar Jog, director of the National Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence at London Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Jog, who treated Petrie, also co-authored the first Canadian guidelines on Parkinson’s disease with other leading Canadian movement disorder specialists and neurologists.
Today Petrie is successfully managing the disease, along with the demands of her career and family life. She works part time for Reeves Financial Services, a company that offers her flexible hours.
“I don’t get stressed out as much,” said Petrie. “Stress is a huge trigger for this disease.”
For tickets to the April 28 fundraiser, go to www.lets-shake.com.