I am blind and my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 37 – The comments we receive can be tiring

A blind mother of two is open about the journey of her family with a disability and illness on a new postpodcast.

Spend against The apple and the treeHannah, 27, described her difficult childhood – from losing her vision at the age of 7 to the learning of her father was the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease when she was only 12.

Hannah appeared on the podcast with Brett, 50, who revealed his fear of deteriorating and his family could no longer maintain.

The apple and the tree, Hosted by Pastor Richard ColesBrings parents and their adult children together to answer questions about their shared family history.

“When you were diagnosed for the first time, I was very young – it felt overwhelming,” Hannah told her father.

“We didn’t know much about that of Parkinson’s then and what the prognosis was to move forward.

“I think it is similar to my condition: someone else who has it can have a very different experience.”

A blind mother of two is open about the journey of her family with disability and illness on a new postpodcast

Hannah, 27, described her difficult childhood – from losing her vision at the age of 7 to the learning of her father was the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease when she was only 12

Brett: “I’m worried about how long I can support my family before I have to pack it all and they have to support me.” Listen here

“The symptoms are so variable,” Brett replied.

‘It is difficult to switch what other people experience with the disease. It is not necessary what I go through every day.

“If the symptoms really go into force and I have a bad time with it – I wonder how my family will deal with it.”

The concerns of the father of three are intensified by the fact that he still raises two young boys, 9 and 12 years old.

Both father and daughter spoke about the tiring impact of insensitive comments from strangers.

“I get foolish questions from people all the time,” Brett revealed.

‘If I vibrate, someone will ask me if I am cold. Some people assume that I am drunk – that happens quite often.

‘Knowing that it will get worse is difficult – I am someone who holds my fears inside.

“I had a woman who recently saw me shaking at work. She asked why – and my colleague told her I had Parkinson’s.

“She had been the day before and said – I was here yesterday, and he didn’t have it then.

Both father and daughter spoke about the tiring impact of insensitive comments from strangers

“That is the kind of level of ridiculous comments you get.”

Hannah is Albino and her progressive loss of sight stems from a rare side effect of the genetic condition.

She also shared her frustration about how the world perceives its handicap.

Hannah noted: ‘I know people staring at me on the street. I am worried that my children at school are grief for a mother who is disabled.

“It’s tiring. When I meet new people, I have the feeling that I have to explain myself all the time – it’s Knacking.

“My eyesight is complicated. I don’t have twenty minutes to give someone a bloody science lesson every time they ask about it.

“We live in a culture where everyone feels that they deserve to know everything about you.”

When asked by his daughter what his greatest fear surrounds his condition, Brett described his worries because he was ultimately unable to take care of his family.

“My biggest concern is how long I will be able to work,” he revealed.

‘How long can I support my family before I have to pack everything and they have to support me.

To listen to the full discussion, where father and daughter change their experiences of the disabled, are now looking for the Apple & The Tree, where you also get your podcasts.