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Richard Shepherd CBE
Devastated to hear of the death of my old friend, Richard Shepherd, last week. There are a number of good obituaries including this one by The Times. Richard Shepherd was owner of the world famous Langan’s Brasserie, near the Ritz, introduced me to Ian Botham over a lunch with them both, at least 25 years ago…
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Medical Evidence – what’s out there?
… and why the photo of “Beefy”, Ian, Lord Botham? Read on… Living with a degenerative disease is no fun. So it’s no wonder that I have spent a lot of time investigating ways through traditional medicine and modern therapies to cure my disease or reduce my symptoms. Also… I’m an engineer by training, so…
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The Big Yin at 80
Happy 80th Birthday Sir Billy Connolly. Born in Glasgow in 1942, Sir Billy’s career as a comedian, actor and musician spans more than five decades. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a year after me, in 2013. He retired from live stand-up in 2018 but has continued to make tv programmes. In a fitting tribute…
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Clint Eastwood – still driving …
Clint Eastwood is still working in his 90s. This backs up my conviction that keeping working keeps you going. It exercises your brain, it gives you purpose, it surrounds you with people. Clint Eastwood was born in 1930 – and here he is looking fit and continuing to make films. Judi Dench – another one for…
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Lifeforce and Lifespan
These are my two new go-to books for ANYONE, not just people with Parkinsons. Life Force by Tony Robbins brings together more than 100 of the world’s top medical minds, the latest research and amazing advancements in precision medicine that you can apply today to help extend the length and quality of your life. This…
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Gifts for Grandparents
… and treats for yourself ! As the festive season approaches are you scratching your head for inspiration for gifts for grandparents or other older people in your lives? To help with ideas I have put together some recommendations which you can find on “Gifts for Grandparents” or to find something for yourself, see Dicky’s…
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“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”
The words of Jimmy Choi. Take a look at this guy – would you have ANY IDEA he has had Parkinsons for 15 years? What would you do? Jimmy Choi’s response to his Parkinsons diagnosis took some time, he ignored it, he stopped moving and he got fat… but once he got started… !!! No-one,…
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Fishing is Life 🎣
Let not age and infirmity stop you doing what you love ❤️ What is your go-to activity that feeds your soul and GIVES you life??? Mine, 100%, is fishing. Here I am, 76 years old, 12 years into Parkinsons. It’s not the largest fish I’ve ever landed, but I’m still in the seat and reeling…
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An extraordinary honour
One of the benefits of age is the span of friendships. These are treasures excluded from the young. Shared memories over decades, the things we did in a different age!!!! Last Friday I was moved to tears by the completely unexpected honour of having a museum named after me. “Nondies” Those who know me, know…
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Back to the Future
This Friday’s Update is all about… I saw Michael J Fox on this fairly old CNN interview recently. It really got to me… He seemed much worse off than me with his tremors and shakes and yet he epitomised optimism in the face of adversity. For those who don’t know, he was diagnosed with early-onset…