The Huffington Post

Trying to get my message out, has been jolly hard work considering my poor state of health. Yet it is this very state that drives me forward, determined not to give in, I battle two chronic diseases with a fighting spirit and a positive attitude. I have spent many hours writing, blogging each day, answering numerous e-mails I receive from around the world, and taking on occasional public speaking engagements. When one is talking about chronic disease, it is a topic that is far from sensational or sizzling; therefore it is understandably harder to get people interested or to listen. Most have not heard of Gaucher disease, justifiably so, as it is a rare disease with only approximately 10,000 patients worldwide. I am also trying to reach fellow sufferers / care givers, and to make the general public more aware. Everyone has heard of Parkinson's, yet it's surprising how many assume it is a disease affecting only the elderly, when in fact the number of young onset Parkinson's patients is increasing. Generally people associate Parkinson's with simply shaking, and are not aware of the many unpleasant symptoms that patients suffer from with this degenerative disease. I was therefore thrilled and delighted to be asked by TheHuffington Post, to write a weekly blog for their Lifestyle Section and am very grateful for this opportunity. With a worldwide circulation, I hope to further my campaign of reaching others in similar circumstances, offering support and bringing greater awareness to issues that are close to my heart.