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Published: 29 April, 2010

WHEN Penelope Lloyd-Newman wakes up in the morning she only has to listen to the sound of her husband’s feet to know what kind of day it will be.
Carl Taylor, 69, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 12 years ago, and since then the former boxer’s confident stride has regressed into a shuffle.
Like most sufferers of the degenerative disorder, his movements are slow as his muscles have stiffened up and coordination has become a challenge.
But, according to Penelope, who has lived with Carl for 30 years in Glenloch Road, Belsize Park, the sounds of his unbalanced steps indicates more than just the physical symptoms of the disease.
They also reveal the impact of Parkinson’s on sufferers’ mood and behaviour, which has been less well-documented than physical effects such as tremors.
Penelope said: “When he’s really slow I know he’s going to be moody, aggressive and non-committal. When he’s like that he won’t speak or engage, and behaves like a five-year-old. The biggest challenge of looking after someone with Parkinson’s is not losing your temper with them. Whenever that happens I feel so remorseful afterwards because it’s not his fault. It’s a constant struggle.”
Every hour someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson’s, but still little is commonly known about it. Last week, to coincide with Parkinson’s Awareness Week, Penelope took to the streets of Belsize Park to collect for national charity Parkinson’s UK. As well as raising valuable funds, she hopes to raise awareness of the condition and its impact on sufferers.
In Carl’s case, the cognitive effects are so severe that they have developed into dementia, which on top of reduced balance and mobility have made daily life a constant struggle. In November, the impact of caring for him became too much for Penelope and she had a nervous breakdown, causing her to spend a month in hospital recovering.
“I was in a deep depression and I didn’t know it,” she said. “I phoned 999 and said something was wrong with me, but I didn’t know what. They came five minutes later and I was admitted to hospital. I didn’t realise the impact caring for Carl was having on me.”
Since then, Penelope has begun to embrace the support offered by Camden and Islington NHS Trust. Carl’s daily activities now include swimming, massage, light gym and trips to the osteopath, which also gives Penelope much-needed respite. She described the help she is currently receiving as “amazing” and said it has helped her get back on her feet.
“They can’t wait to give Carl whatever he needs,” said Penelope. “The support has turned things around. They call me up just to see if I’m coping and they have even offered to send someone round to help me dress Carl. When I talk to people in a similar situation in other boroughs they can’t believe the help that is on offer.”
Penelope also receives support from Parkinson’s UK, which has inspired her fundraising efforts. So far she has collected £1,144 for the charity.
For more information visit www.parkinsonsuk.org or call 0808 800 0303.