To mark Parkinson's Awareness Month, which falls on World Day on Thursday, Line Arsenault has agreed to tell her story to raise awareness and spread the word about the disease, six years after she was diagnosed with the condition.
In the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, nearly 700 people suffer from Parkinson's disease, and according to experts, an increase in this disease is expected in the coming years.
Line Arsenault has had the disease for nine years, but was diagnosed six years ago.
“It's tough to take, but I'm a fighter. Before I was diagnosed, I was having problems. My left leg was dangling, and my arm was still bent. People said to me: 'Have a nice walk, Line.'” “It took three years before I got the The official diagnosis, and it was the neurologist who told me,” confirmed Line Arsenault.
To overcome this ordeal, she is accompanied by her friend Marilyn, who works as a caregiver. The women have been friends for 40 years.
“She called me and told me that I would be her caregiver. I accepted. At this moment, we are helping each other. It is not difficult to be Line's caregiver, she is very positive,” emphasized Marlene Dallaire.
Since her diagnosis, Line Arsenault has been moving every week and participating in Parkinson's activities in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. A way to take your mind off things.
“If I stay home, I think I'm saying to myself, 'I have Parkinson's disease, and I don't feel well.' “When I exercise two or three times a week, it allows me to move forward and be in a good mood,” Line said. Her friend Marilyn accompanies her in various activities such as boxing and dancing.
The two friends are encouraging people to donate to the Parkinson's Foundation on World Parkinson's Day.
