Category: posts

  • The Big Yin at 80

    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…

  • Clint Eastwood – still driving …

    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…

  • Lifeforce and Lifespan

    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…

  • Gifts for Grandparents

    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…

  • “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”

    “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,…

  • Fishing is Life 🎣

    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…

  • An extraordinary honour

    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…

  • Back to the Future

    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…

  • Bleddy ‘ ansome

    Bleddy ‘ ansome

    I confuse and amuse my non Cornish friends when the odd word from my youth pops out. I have stayed connected with Cornwall all my life and one of my proudest moments was being initiated as a Cornish Bard. The Bards of Gorsedh Kernow The bards of Gorsedh Kernow, swear allegiance to Cornwall as a…

  • When you say nothing at all….

    When you say nothing at all….

    The dreaded P has affected my speech and this performance made be howl with laughter. Who cares if you don’t speak the same as everyone else – they just need to pay more attention 😂 😂 😂 Lesson 1 : So you’re different… So BE different. You speak quietly, attract attention a different way. In…