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Coffee with: Parkinson's advocate Donna Dobbie living each day like no other

Local resident becomes online advocate for Parkinson's disease
Donna Dobbie
You can read more about Donna Dobbie's experiences living with Parkinson's at DonnaDobbie.Blogspot.ca

Presently on the mind of Steveston resident Donna Dobbie is how to improve the shaded part of her garden, as spring rolls along, and, perhaps, some preliminary ideas as to where she would like to go in England as part of her next trip.

The Richmond News sat down with Dobbie at Waves Coffee this week, since she’s become a local advocate for Parkinson’s Awareness Month this April. 

Dobbie, a retired executive assistant, declined a coffee, as the caffeine was too much for her, given that her medications can pose various side effects. She was happy with iced water, all the same, as she enjoyed the sunny patio.

In fact, Dobbie is happy with a lot of things these days. It may be hard to believe if you’re a healthy, able-bodied person, however, it would be a challenge to find many folks more active than her.

You may recognize Dobbie walking the West Dyke trail with her walking sticks, or strolling the village with her flashy cane. Put simply, she’s not letting Parkinson’s stop her from accomplishing the things she loves to do.

One of those things is sewing and Dobbie admits her stitch holes are getting a bit bigger, but she enjoys it all the same, as it brings her relaxation.

The challenging part is how symptoms can fluctuate day to day or even hour to hour, so she takes any opportunity she has when she’s feeling up to walking.

Part of her work with the Parkinson’s Society of B.C. is to advocate for those with the disease. She’s presently writing a blog about her experiences living with the second most common neuro-degenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.

The blog is a way to share her thoughts and feelings in order to help others.

Right now she’s partnered with another grandmother from Pennsylvania to become FitBit walking partners.

“She’s outstepping me by miles,” she chuckles, before explaining that the online Parkinson’s community has been a great way to stay grounded and receive help while at the same time helping others.

“I think we can laugh about it and keep it less intense. I try to keep it light myself but, still, you have to respect the disease,” she explains. 

Dobbie says she isn’t self-conscious about her shaking, but rather calls it “annoying.”

“It’s the symptoms you can’t see that I find challenging. There’s depression, stomach problems, apathy and the need for routine,” she explains.

Now age 65, Dobbie was diagnosed at 54, after noticing a new tremor in her hand. It was around the same time she was getting her driver’s license (she had always lived where she worked). To date, she still drives and gets around Richmond just like anyone else.

“I grew as a person to value life and to value the moment. I’m naturally a seeker of truth and what is real,” she said.

Dobbie is one of about 450 people living with Parkinson’s in Richmond, according to the Parkinson’s Society of B.C., citing Ministry of Health data.

Because of the country’s ageing population, the cases are expected to rise by 65 per cent by 2031.

To those who may become diagnosed or those who have a family member diagnosed, Dobbie has a simple message: “The worse thing you can do is give up.”

You can read more about Dobbie at DonnaDobbie.Blogspot.ca.

@WestcoastWood

 

gwood@richmond-news.com