## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) # My PD Story ![Sue Waight headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/Sue_Waight.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=6C0r8A-e) People with PD ## Sue Waight I am a 61-year-old woman who was [diagnosed](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at age 59, which apparently is a common age for women to be diagnosed. My parents both had Parkinson's, but of my four siblings, I seem to be the only one who has [inherited it](/understanding-parkinsons/causes/genetics "Genetics & Parkinson's"). The first symptom I noticed was that my left hand would [twitch](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/tremor "Tremor"), especially in the evenings, but not every day. I also went walking with my husband one day and found I didn't have the [strength to walk](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/trouble-moving "Trouble Moving or Walking") up some steps. It took me several attempts to climb them. Then we took our three granddaughters to some hot pools, and I was waiting in line with my youngest. I noticed I got very cold, and when I did, I didn't just shiver — my whole arm was shaking so badly that I had to try to hold it still with my good arm. I had trouble getting my general practitioner to refer me to a specialist, as he stated that he had not noticed any tremors while we were talking. I told him that it didn't happen all the time, but enough — coupled with the other events — that I felt there was merit in seeing a [neurologist](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/building-your-team "Building Your Care Team") who specialized in Parkinson's disease. I was referred and saw the neurologist, who very quickly diagnosed me with Parkinson's. I then realized I had some [non-movement symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms "Non-Movement Symptoms") as well, which I simply hadn't connected with PD. I had been experiencing [swallowing](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/speech-swallowing "Speech & Swallowing Issues") issues for at least 2 to 3 years and had recently [lost my sense of smell](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/loss-of-smell "Loss of Smell"); nobody put two and two together and realized these symptoms pointed to Parkinson's disease. I was devastated but not surprised, and it took a month or so before I felt I could come to grips with the diagnosis. One day when I was searching online for Parkinson’s resources, I came across the Parkinson’s Foundation. Reading [stories from other people with PD](https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/stories?_page=1&keywords=&_limit=9&story=16) helped me realize I was not alone. I quickly found my best way of dealing with Parkinson’s was to create a blog, which I started in January 2021 and is still ongoing. Writing allows me to process my thoughts and feelings, and I hope that my words help others in the way these personal stories helped me. I continue to work as a social worker in a hospital — working, ironically, in a neurological ward. I am still [active](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise") and plan to work for a few more years, before I retire and hopefully am able to travel with my husband. **Let others in the Parkinson’s community know they are not alone.** [**Share your story**](/living-with-parkinsons/my-pd-story/submit "Submit Your Story") ## Related Materials Fact Sheets ### [ Pain in Parkinson's Disease ](/library/fact-sheets/pain) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/pain) Fact Sheets ### [ Nutrition and PD ](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/nutrition) Fact Sheets ### [ Medications for Non-motor Symptoms ](/library/fact-sheets/medications-nonmotor-symptoms) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/medications-nonmotor-symptoms) ## More Stories from the Parkinson's community ![Mark painting at a kitchen table.](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/marku-hurst-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=0CI6_9ko) People with PD ### [ Mark Hurst ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/mark-hurst) READ NOW ![Edwin Castillo headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/edwin-castillo-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=i2krUKZL) People with PD ### [ Edwin Castillo ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/edwin-castillo) READ NOW ![Tamara posing for a picture in a blue dress](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/tamara-zanvardine-pd-story-hero.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=T3TnAZYR) People with PD ### [ Tamara Zanvardine ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/tamara-zanvardine) READ NOW [VIEW ALL STORIES](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) ### Share your Story Do you have an experience with Parkinson's that you would like to share? 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