On September 8, the quiet bush track at Perry Lakes Reserve will be alive with thousands of people, music, family entertainment and community stalls for the Parkinson’s WA Unity Walk.
After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about seven years ago, that Claremont resident said it had affected his life in small yet significant ways.
‘For one thing, it’s much harder to wake up in the morning,’ Mr Creswell said.
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READ NOW‘When I was farming I would be having my first cup of tea at 6am, but now it takes me an hour or so to come to terms with the world.
‘I have been told that if you have the shakes then Parkinson’s will progress slowly for you, which I’m pleased about.
‘If something gets me would up, like if I go to the football and the Eagles are scoring goals, then I’m really shaking.’
Mr Creswell said he was inspired to take part in the Parkinson’s WA Unity Walk because it would help raise funds to hire a regional nurse.
‘When I was living in the country, one of the nurses from Perth came to one of our meetings and it was tremendous,’ he said.
‘Although you have a neurologist that you see, the Parkinson’s nurse is very practical and can put issues into layman’s terms.’
Mr Creswell said his daughters Linda and Susie and 16-month-old granddaughter Elisabeth would arrive early to see him perform in the Parkinsong concert before the walk.
‘I’ve always enjoyed singing, but it’s especially good for your voice because with Parkinson’s you lose volume,’ he said.
‘The interesting thing is that I have great difficulty understanding what some members of the Parkinsong group say in conversation, but when the singing starts the words come out pretty good.