The former mayor of Vienna, Michael Häupl, has now made his Parkinson’s disease public. What does the diagnosis of Parkinson’s mean? We spoke to those affected about living with the disease and the challenges in daily life.
Parkinson’s is like an invisible dance partner that suddenly takes over your life. It forces you to take new steps that you haven’t practiced yet, rhythms that throw you off balance. “At first I thought my life was over,” says Christa Knechtsberger, who was diagnosed around her 70th birthday. The first signs: an irregular series of steps, a slow left hand. But instead of giving up, she decided to tame this uninvited dance partner. Today, seven years later, she says: “I am the one who sets the pace.”
“Life was dark for a while”
But the road to this attitude was not easy. When Christa Knechtsberger was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she was stunned. “It was dark for a while. But then I thought: colon cancer or breast cancer would be worse. So I make the best of it.” She now leads an active life. Cycling, swimming and regular rehabilitation stays on the Gmundnerberg keep her fit. Knechtsberger: “Exercise is everything.” The disease affects her daily life, but she has learned to deal with the limitations. “Everything slows down a bit, but that also applies to people without Parkinson’s as they get older,” she says pragmatically.
Noted after accident
Eduard Leichtfried has also been living with Parkinson’s for several years. His illness came to light after a traffic accident. “Suddenly I couldn’t move my right hand properly,” he says. The diagnosis was a shock, but like Knechtsberger, he decided to continue living his life actively.
“You don’t have to hide”
As a municipal councilor in his home community in Lower Austria, he was committed to social projects for many years. “You don’t have to hide,” he says. His wife helps him stay fit through dance and targeted exercises. “It helps if you see examples like Christa. “That motivates me to do more myself,” he admits. Both are especially impressed by crown.tv star Philipp Jelinek. Knechtsberger: “I do the exercises every morning and notice how good it feels for me.” For many people affected, this accessible offer is an important contribution to fall prevention and general well-being.
Self-help association offers participatory programs
An important anchor point for many Parkinson’s patients is the self-help association. Christian Pulpan, president of the association, knows the importance of community: “Many people withdraw after diagnosis, but that is precisely what is fatal. We have to motivate them to stay active.” The association offers exercise and participation programs in Vienna.
Expansion of the offer
Knechtsberger regularly attends events and is impressed by the strength of the community. “The self-help groups are a wonderful thing. You feel understood and supported.” But not all groups are easy to reach, which is a challenge for many of those affected. This is where the association steps in to create offers across the board. Pulpan is working on the further expansion of self-help groups in Vienna. He plans a new point of contact, especially in the 22nd arrondissement: “Not everyone can travel long distances. It is important that those affected have offers close to home.”
There is currently no cure
Despite advances in research, Parkinson’s remains a multifaceted disease. “The medication slows down symptoms, but exercise improves daily life,” says Knechtsberger. However, falling is one of the greatest dangers. “One wrong step can have fatal consequences,” Pulpan warns. That is why many of those affected have made their homes barrier-free. Walk-in showers, wide doors and walkers are part of everyday life for many people.
A little more support would be helpful
Leichtfried is already thinking about renovations. “I’m thinking of installing a lift so I can stay mobile in the future,” he says. Such measures are often expensive and support is usually only available at a higher level of care. Still, he emphasizes the importance of taking precautions early. “You know it won’t get better, but you can prevent it from getting worse.” Christa Knechtsberger and Eduard Leichtfried show that Parkinson’s does not mean the end. “You don’t have to be afraid,” says Knechtsberger. “Life is what you make of it.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
