Sean Anderson
Sean was diagnosed with Parkinson's at 43 after noticing tremors while riding his mountain bike. Seven years later, Parkinson's has presented him with challenges, but it doesn't define him.
Sean was diagnosed with Parkinson's at 43 after noticing tremors while riding his mountain bike. Seven years later, Parkinson's has presented him with challenges, but it doesn't define him.
Sean is grateful for the support of his friends, wife, health care professionals and his medication, which has helped him continue working and pursuing his hobbies, like biking and going to gigs and the football.
Sean's motivation for participating in A Walk in the Park is to give back to Fight Parkinson's after receiving a great level of support during his diagnosis and ever since. As an ambassador, he wants to shed light on the lesser-known symptoms of Parkinson's, including anxiety, pain and cognitive changes. He also wants to support the community, including friends with loved ones living with Parkinson's.
Damian Rann
Damian has been supporting A Walk in the Park for over a decade. It's been a family tradition since he began walking in support of his dad, who had Parkinson's.
Damian has been supporting A Walk in the Park for over a decade. It's been a family tradition since he began walking in support of his dad, who had Parkinson's.
Even after his father's death, Damian has continued to walk in his honour. His motivation to support the community has since been intensified after learning his cousin has been diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's. Witnessing the impact of Parkinson's on both sides of his family, Damian believes that no one should have to go through this.
Damian sees A Walk in the Park as an opportunity to drive important conversations about Parkinson's, promote physical activity and raise awareness to hopefully one day find a cure.
John Wijsma
John was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2016 while he was running his landscaping business and raising his two sons with his wife. At 48, he has had to retire from his career and adjust to a new family dynamic as a full-time dad. In the midst of confronting the physical, emotional and financial impacts of Parkinson's, he recognises the importance of sharing his story.
John was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2016 while he was running his landscaping business and raising his two sons with his wife. At 48, he has had to retire from his career and adjust to a new family dynamic as a full-time dad. In the midst of confronting the physical, emotional and financial impacts of Parkinson's, he recognises the importance of sharing his story.
As a dad who is in the thick of raising a young family, he wants to showcase the diversity of people living with Parkinson's and break down the misconceptions and stigma associated with it.
John is looking forward to A Walk in the Park as he wants to support Fight Parkinson's and enjoys the sense of community that the walk brings.
He believes that by having more open conversations about Parkinson's and its complexities, people can gain a better understanding of the condition and provide more support to those affected by it.
He believes that by having more open conversations about Parkinson's and its complexities, people can gain a better understanding of the condition and provide more support to those affected by it.
Sheenagh Bottrell
Sheenagh was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011 at age 47. Since then, she has immersed herself in the Parkinson's community through volunteering, fundraising and taking leadership roles. She is currently a board member at Fight Parkinson's and the Peer Support Group leader of Young@Park, for people living with Young Onset Parkinson's.
Sheenagh was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011 at age 47. Since then, she has immersed herself in the Parkinson's community through volunteering, fundraising and taking leadership roles. She is currently a board member at Fight Parkinson's and the Peer Support Group leader of Young@Park, for people living with Young Onset Parkinson's.
She has also shared her experiences in the media, at seminars and events to help others navigate similar challenges and to spread hope among the community.
As an ambassador for A Walk in the Park, Sheenagh aims to challenge the stereotypes surrounding Parkinson's. She wants people to know that this condition is not just a condition that affects older people but can impact anyone at any age. Through her work, she wants to amplify the community's voice, especially for women diagnosed at a younger age.
Michelle Mendes
Michelle was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2012 while she was working as a primary school teacher. Now retired at 55, she is determined to raise awareness about the realities of living with Parkinson's and to provide support to other people in the community.
Michelle was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2012 while she was working as a primary school teacher. Now retired at 55, she is determined to raise awareness about the realities of living with Parkinson's and to provide support to other people in the community.
Michelle has undergone Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and is enthusiastic about sharing her experiences with others who have undergone or are considering DBS.
As an ambassador for A Walk in the Park, she is passionate about raising funds for improving support and services for people with Parkinson's. After countless experiences with long wait times in hospitals, lack of proper care and difficulties accessing allied health services, she is very aware of the systemic issues and barriers to funding.
She also strongly advocates for improved training for health care professionals to ensure that everyone living with Parkinson's receives the best care and support possible.
She also strongly advocates for improved training for health care professionals to ensure that everyone living with Parkinson's receives the best care and support possible.
Jeannette Branch
Jeanette has been living with Parkinson's for 17 years. Despite being diagnosed at 49 and experiencing many symptoms and setbacks since then, she hasn't let Parkinson's dampen her energetic spirit.
Jeanette has been living with Parkinson's for 17 years. Despite being diagnosed at 49 and experiencing many symptoms and setbacks since then, she hasn't let Parkinson's dampen her energetic spirit.
She is a devoted mum, grandma, wife and friend. Living in Echuca, she is an active member of her community and is involved in her local Parkinson's Peer Support Group. Over the years, she has participated in A Walk in the Park and 27forParkinson's and has organised several fundraisers of her own. This year, Jeannette and her team are making the trip from Echuca for A Walk in the Park Melbourne.
As an ambassador, Jeannette hopes to foster support for the Parkinson's community. She is also motivated by her personal goal of improving her voice and believes that the opportunity to speak up and share her story will help her reach that goal.
Georgy Hicks
Georgy is determined to raise the profile of Parkinson's on behalf of her family. Her dad, Andrew, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018 and her great-aunt was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Georgy is determined to raise the profile of Parkinson's on behalf of her family. Her dad, Andrew, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018 and her great-aunt was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Georgy was an ambassador for A Walk in the Park 2023 and has been amazed by the support she and her family have received. She's also had the opportunity to build a network of support for people who have reached out to her with their own personal connection to Parkinson's.
Georgy is grateful for the strong sense of community that A Walk in the Park brings and the connections made during previous walks have been invaluable to her family. Through these connections, her father has discovered a range of classes and support groups that he is now actively involved in.
