He was just 21 when he was diagnosed.
A Leeds dad diagnosed with Parkinson's at 21 says a positive outlook has allowed him to overcome the disease and raise his daughter.
"Gradually it got worse and worse and when I left school at 16 to start an electrical apprenticeship it really started getting noticeable. I remember going to see doctors when I was 16, 17, 18 and they would say to me, ‘Stop drinking and smoking and you’ll be fine’. John said: “People are very surprised when they hear I was diagnosed so young. The main reaction I get is, ‘But that’s an old person’s disease?’ People still assume I’m drunk or on drugs and people see you and make an instant judgment.
“When we go out she says to me, ‘If someone says something to you, I’ll do something’. But the kids that know anything about Parkinson’s are actually very accepting of it. “You have to keep busy exercising and keep yourself active because if you don’t you freeze up. I don’t like to be left out. I drive 4x4s, I go paintballing. All my mates know what I’m like. I’ll give anything a go.
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