"I get called drunk" Parkinson's sufferer from Birmingham speaks out

A man from Birmingham who suffers with Parkinson's wants more people to understand the disease, after receiving hurtful comments about his tremors.

Barrie Smith, 47, started to experience symptoms such as digestive issues, loss of smell, and depression and anxiety, 17 years before he received his formal Parkinson’s diagnosis.

In 2005, he started to experience a tremor, and a year later he was referred to his neurologist when he was finally diagnosed with the condition.

Barrie said: “When I was diagnosed I was initially relieved, but my happiness was quickly shattered when I found out about how complicated living with the condition can be. I was in shock, I clammed up. I fell into a dark place and I found it all too much to handle.

"I stopped speaking as I didn’t know what to say, and I remained like that until I spoke to a Parkinson’s UK advisor who helped me make sense of what was happening."

And Barrie wants to raise awareness around the impacts of the condition: "There are lots and lots of times where living with the disorder is made worse because of people's lack of understanding. I've been accused more times than you will ever know of being a massive drinker."

Now, 18 years after his diagnosis, Barrie’s symptoms have gotten worse. He is constantly in pain, has issues with his balance, fatigue, and he is starting to experience dyskinesia - muscle movements that people with Parkinson's can't control.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed. There are over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

“I have a great support network around me and I’d be lost without them. I have now retired due to poor health, but I love spending my time in my garden and volunteering to help others who are living with Parkinson’s," he said.

It comes after World Parkinson's day took place yesterday (11th)

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