Margaret's Success Story
I'm Margaret, I'm 81 years old and a retired pharmacist. I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease in November 2021.
This is my story -
I initially experienced tremors in my right hand and by the time of my diagnosis, I also had some bradykinesia (slowness of movement), particularly on my right side, rigidity and some reduction in my arm swing.
Over the following couple of years, my symptoms were monitored by my Consultant Neurologist, Dr Dipa Jayaseelan, and I began medication to help manage my Parkinson's.
Discovering the importance of exercise
In August 2023, I joined a new exercise class for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s at Harpenden Leisure Centre. The classes were led by Personal Trainer Delia Dorcioman, who has additional specialist qualifications in neurological conditions.
Delia initially introduced me to the gym and gave me a basic exercise programme to follow. I later decided to have a one-to-one session with her so that she could develop my programme further.
I have continued to have these individual sessions with Delia each year because I greatly appreciate her input and advice on my gym activities.
Exercise gradually became an increasingly important part of the way I approached living with Parkinson’s.
In March 2024, I also attended the launch of a Parkinson’s exercise class at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre. Through this I met sports therapist John Molyneux, who had extensive experience of working with people with Parkinson’s.
I volunteered to help John demonstrate exercises while he trained Personal Trainers in working with people with Parkinson’s. I subsequently joined John and Delia at further training sessions and even participated in a session at Hitchin Leisure Centre which was filmed by BBC News East and broadcast on World Parkinson’s Day in April 2024.
Being involved in these sessions gave me an even greater understanding of how people of different ages and with very different Parkinson’s symptoms can benefit from appropriate exercise.
It has made huge difference
At my clinical assessment in April 2024, my neurologist found that I had minimal bradykinesia, no rigidity and excellent arm swing when walking.
She commented:
“The exercise classes she has been participating in have made a huge difference to her and are obviously part of the reason she is doing so well.”
Hearing this motivated me even more to continue with my positive approach to my Parkinson’s diagnosis and to keep exercising and improving my strength, fitness and mobility.
I passed my neurologist’s comments on to Delia and thanked her for all her hard work in the Parkinson’s classes and for the encouragement she had given me in the gym.
Keeping active!
Over time, I began adding more activities to my week. In April 2024, I joined a table tennis group for people with Parkinson’s and their carers. In February 2025, I began playing Pickleball after a Parkinson’s session was launched at Batchwood Golf and Leisure Centre.
Golf has also remained an important part of my life. In April 2025, at the age of 80, I played in an 18-hole Stableford competition at Mid Herts Golf Club — and won it with 41 points!
Clearly my exercise classes and fitness were helping me.
I also joined a FORTIS class led by Delia, designed for people with Parkinson’s who were fitter and stronger and wanted to push themselves further. The class combines resistance and cardiovascular training using equipment which enables us to exercise without the same fear of falling.
I continue to attend this class.
Finding what works for me
As my fitness increased, I realised that not every Parkinson’s exercise class was right for me.
During 2025, I stopped attending one of the general classes because many of the participants had more advanced symptoms and I no longer felt the class gave me the level of exercise I needed.
Instead, I began using that time for a 1½-hour gym workout based on a programme devised by Delia.
Seeing people at later stages of Parkinson’s could sometimes be difficult. But it also made me recognise how fortunate I was that my own symptoms remained relatively controlled.
That became another motivation to continue with my daily exercise programme, alongside my medication and a positive approach to my diagnosis.
Walking for Parkinson’s
In July 2025, I took part in the Parkinson’s UK Walk for Parkinson’s at
Hatfield House.
I chose the 5.7-mile route and completed it in 1 hour 55 minutes. I also raised £1,004 for Parkinson’s UK to help provide more trained Parkinson’s nurses.
By then, exercise wasn't simply something I was doing because I had Parkinson’s. It had become an important and enjoyable part of my life.
My activities now include gym workouts, golf, table tennis, Pickleball, walking and indoor bowls.
I also keep my brain active through crosswords and puzzles and by playing bridge regularly.
My Physical Activity Hero
In August 2025, Delia was named an Everyone Active Colleague Champion in recognition of her work within the community.
She was subsequently selected as one of just eight national finalists in the Physical Activity Hero category of the 2025 UK Active Awards.
Although Delia did not ultimately win the national award, I told her:
“You will always be my Physical Activity Hero because of your encouragement to me, which has inspired me to keep up — and raise — my fitness levels.”
And I meant it.
My 'Star' Parkinson's Patient
At my next clinical assessment in April 2026, I told my neurologist that I was exercising for an average of around 14 hours each week.
My symptoms were stable and I continued to have excellent mobility.
Dr Jayaseelan described me as her “Star Parkinson’s Patient” and said that my Parkinson’s was well controlled.
She encouraged me to continue my exercise programme, while also being careful to monitor fatigue.
My Weekly Routine
Today, my weekly routine includes walking, gym workouts three or four times a week, FORTIS classes, golf, table tennis, Pickleball and indoor bowls.
My medication remains an important part of managing my Parkinson’s, but I believe my commitment to regular exercise has also played an important role in maintaining my strength, mobility and quality of life.
Hearing the positive comments from my consultant has only motivated me to continue.
I intend to keep moving!