Anne Atkin Art

"We can read Parkinson’s 1817 essay on the Shaking Palsy today and ‘understand’ what Parkinson’s disease looks like on the outside.

Anne’s work nicely complements his writings with a warm, internal view of the Parkinson’s disease that sit amongst the most readable examples of this field."

 

Before I was Diagnosed  (Excerpt from Anne's book "Living and Laughing with Parkinsons")

I had reached my forties and felt old and tired. Some days I limped. Sometimes I didn’t. There were days when I actually felt quite well and other staff would comment and say I looked terrific. Heavens, I thought, I must have looked awful the other days!  Yard duty was always tedious but now it was like walking a marathon or that’s what I felt I had done at the end of lunchtime. I went to my GP when I was in my late forties and had some blood tests done. Nothing was wrong.  "Get some exercise", he said. "Get fit and you’ll be fine." So, I tried to get fit. Lots of walking but as I walked I felt as if I was tightening. My friend was feeling relaxed and loose and I was feeling as if I needed oiling.

 

Reviews

I have just read the piece that you sent to me and think it is brilliant. It is straightforward to read and easy to understand and with the very
important added benefit of humour. I think your style is wonderful and what you achieve is an inspiration.

Vicky Routledge
Awareness Campaign Project Officer
European Parkinson's Disease Association [EPDA]

Brilliant concept and it’s coming together really well. The amount of information about PD and the context of your particular situation, symptoms and experiences work beautifully as far as making those ‘strange symptoms’ make sense (you know how hard it is to explain what’s the big deal with PD symptoms – like ‘it’s not fatal or anything...!) you’ve done a great job making those symptoms come alive and using everyday examples we can all relate to – especially the ones around being embarrassed or not having control.

Judith Mooney
Marketing and Fundraiser Co-ordinator
Parkinson's Victoria

 

Anne recently met Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the following is an excerpt from the letter Anne later received:

"The Labour Government is committed to funding research into neurological disorders, as is evidenced by the recent opening of The Melbourne Brain Centre at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. This is a world class facility and the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Parkinson's disease affects some 6.3 million people worldwide - our continuing search for a cure is imperative.

Anne, your book is something you can be immensely proud of and I'm sure it will provide inspiration to many in the community for a long time to come. Thank you for sharing it with me."

Signed:

The Hon. Julia Gillard M.P.