An interview with Michelle Griffin on Motorcycles & Living with PD on September 6, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
My name is Michelle. I live in rural Suffolk in the UK. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s on June 27th, 2016, on what would have been my father’s 70th birthday but we lost him to heart disease aged 54.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I live with my husband John, my dog George and cat Lenny.
I still manage now to work as my employers are aware of my condition and have adapted my working life to enable me to continue to work.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Basically, I’d say I want people with Parkinson’s to know it’s not the end, life isn’t over as soon as you hear those words. Yes, your life changes but it doesn’t have to be in a negative way.
I decided to take my motorcycle test after I was diagnosed, which I passed the first time and continue to ride a motorcycle now.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have from your advocacy?
I’m passionate about making people aware of Parkinson’s and that it’s not just an old person’s disease, it can happen at any age and people are being diagnosed at younger ages all the time.
I would do whatever it takes to make people more aware of the symptoms of Parkinson’s it’s not just shaking and slowness there are so many other symptoms people do not recognize.
What events do you participate in?
I have done a walk for Parkinson’s awareness with my daughter and last year I did a parachute jump with my stepdaughter to raise money for a PD unit in Kent in the UK.
I don’t run courses or anything like that but if someone reaches out to me, I’ll be happy to talk to them and educate them on Parkinson’s and how life is. I also want people to know it’s not all negative yes, it’s a shock getting a diagnosis but it’s not the end of your world, your world just changes and adapts to your diagnosis. I also like to talk to family and friends as there seems to be very little support for them and lots of them have questions which they are scared to ask.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Instagram @biker_bird_with_parkinsons.
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
I think there should be so much more help for families of people with Parkinson’s as they have very little information and struggle to understand the symptoms.
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
I’m not sure how people become advocates, but they just need to communicate more and become involved with Parkinson’s groups in their neighborhood to learn more.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
I have Parkinson’s, but I’m still me if you have questions ask, I’ll answer them. My glass is still half full and while I can I’m living my best life and doing all I can until I can’t. My life is not over it adapted to include this disease which I will fight every day.