Meeting someone rare

Meeting a person who is in the same shoes who understands completely what you are going through is a wonderful feeling. I was very fortunate to meet someone recently suffering from Gaucher and Parkinson’s, and feeling almost as if I had suddenly found a long lost cousin, there was an instant connection between us. As soon as I described the pain, discomfort, difficulties, hopes and worries, I barely had to finish my sentence before realising for the first time in my life; I was sitting with someone who had the same two diseases as me and knew what I had been through. To put into words what I felt, even for me, is difficult. There are not too many patients in the world who have both diseases and the comfort and supportive feeling I experienced, finally meeting another person who walks in my shoes, wearing two hats; I am definitely no longer alone. Due to privacy laws, doctors and hospitals understandably cannot put patients in contact with each other, despite the huge benefits that can be gained for both patients and their families. Sometimes one has to wait a very long time, to find each other, be it by chance or an introduction through a third party. I am so grateful to those who brought us together and thank you for this special unexpected connection.