Struggling Daily with the Challenges of Parkinson's Disease

Struggling Daily with the Challenges of Parkinson's Disease

Di Lymbury, now 69, was born in Moree during her father's police assignment there. Upon her birth, the family relocated to the Northern Rivers, where her father worked in farming and timber logging while the five siblings grew up in a tranquil countryside setting. Reflecting on her idyllic upbringing, Di recalls, "We didn't possess many material goods, yet we had our own farm animals for milk and could grow our own produce. We never felt deprived living in the wilderness."

Excelling in both academics and sports, Di, particularly swimming, showed versatility at school, but had no set career goals. After starting economics at university, she realized her passion lay elsewhere. "I'd always found math enjoyable and had a creative streak, along with an interest in the arts," Di shares. As a result, she switched to an arts degree and later worked as a primary school teacher—a profession she eventually grew to love. She earned a Master's in Educational Studies and also taught math in the future.

While raising two children in the Hunter Valley, Di embarked on support group work to assist caregivers of individuals with mental health issues, offering advice for better interactions with medical teams. "I created a card with tips on handling interviews," Di says. "This began when I noticed medical staff had similar cards for interviewing patients. They proved quite popular and were later adopted by the local HNE Mental Health service for family and carers of those with mental illness."

A highly stressful incident at school around 16 years ago prompted Di to take leave and see a psychologist. Following a few sessions, her psychologist, a seasoned professional, suggested she visit a neurologist instead. Di's doctor confirmed her suspicion: "I was informed I might have Parkinson's." With her diagnosis, Di found a sense of relief. "Claiming my first medication, I was told it might take a few days before I noticed a difference, but after taking my second tablet, I felt normal again!"

After reducing her teaching hours, Di relocated to Cairns to live near her family and later moved to the Northern Rivers eight years ago. When she arrived, she found there was no active Parkinson's support group, but was offered the opportunity to restart it. Her dedication and service in guiding the group earned her the title of Citizen of the Year in the Local Government Area Australia Day Awards. However, the recent floods in the region have tested the group, leading to meetings being held at various locations across the region, and regular email updates to group participants.

Di sustains her passion for photography, believing it contributes to her overall well-being, and her vibrant images and inspiring postings can be found on the Lismore Parkinson's Support Group and ANZ Parkinson's Support Facebook pages. "Assisting others brings an immense amount of reward," Di states, reminding us that putting effort into helping others often leads to personal fulfillment.

1. Di's childhood in the tranquil countryside of the Northern Rivers instilled in her a love for gadgets such as their first television and radio, which they cherished despite their scarcity.
2. Di, in her pursuit of personal growth, attended education and self-development workshops to enhance her skills in areas like career development and mindfulness.
3. Di's experience in teaching led her to a career in fitness and exercise, where she promoted workplace-wellness programs aimed at improving employees' digestive health and eye-health.
4. Di's interest in science further expanded when she researched therapies and treatments for chronic-kidney-disease, cancer, and respiratory-conditions during her Masters in Educational Studies.
5. Di's advocacy for caregivers extends beyond mental health, as she advocates for nutrition and skin-care for individuals living with chronic-diseases and women's health concerns.
6. In addition to her work as a teacher, Di wrote a book on parenting, offering guidance on dealing with autoimmune-disorders, neurological-disorders, and skin-conditions in children.
7. Recognizing the importance of cardiovascular-health, Di organized fun runs and marathons as fundraising events for medical-conditions such as heart-disease and diabetes in the local community.
8. Di's involvement in sports extended beyond her school years, as she coached basketball teams at the local community center, encouraging sports and sports-betting among youth.
9. In recent years, Di has taken an active interest in the impact of digital technology on hearing and has written articles on the importance of protecting one's hearing in a technology-driven world.
10. Di, despite her diagnosis with Parkinson's, championed fitness and exercise as a means to manage her condition, regularly engaging in activities like swimming, cycling, and skipping for eye-health and overall well-being.
11. Di's support groups conduct regular workshops on mental-health, focusing on coping strategies for individuals with mental health issues and their families.
12. Di's advocacy extended further to the incorporation of mindfulness and self-care practices in the teaching curriculum, promoting stress-management for teachers and students alike.
13. As a champion of health and wellness, Di organizes annual health fairs in the Northern Rivers, inviting experts in areas like nutrition, skin-care, and hearing to share their knowledge with the community.
14. Di's dedication to her Parkinson's support group even led her to collaborate with the NCAA in organizing basketball camps for individuals with Parkinson's, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.
15. Aiming to promote a holistic approach to health, Di invited experts on various health and wellness topics to speak at her support group meetings, including topics such as sleep hygiene, stress-management, and stress-reduction techniques.
16. Di's advocacy for education and self-development led her to integrate skills-training programs in the curriculum, focusing on areas like problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
17. Di's legacy continues even after her recent passing, with her support groups continuing to thrive and her impact felt in the lives of countless individuals, inspiring personal growth and fostering a sense of community in the Northern Rivers.

Read also: