1 in every 37 people will get Parkinson's. 1 in 20 are under the age of 40. The youngest diagnosed was a 2 year old. This is NOT an old persons disease like most of us think. You don't get any symptoms until 80% of the neurones in your brain are dead.
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Two days after his 36th birthday, Alex Flynn sat to drink his breakfast coffee and noticed his finger was shaking involuntarily. Thinking it was a one off, he thought nothing of it. Until it happened again a few days later. Told it was probably nerve damage after a sporting accident a few years before, they felt there was little to be too concerned about, until he went to have a scan and he was told that he had Parkinson's Disease.
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This raw, open, humbling chat opened my eyes. I sat and chatted to my friend who did not stop involuntarily shaking before me for the entire duration. He had no respite. There is no cure. There is little support system in place for sufferers.
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Since diagnosis Alex has done the Marathon des sables - the toughest foot race on earth - 251km across the Sahara desert in searing heat - the worlds toughest ultramarathon; He decided to do a challenge which he called ‘10 MillionMetres’, I'll let him tell you about what that entailed... its insane
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He competed in the Men’s Health USA Ultimate Guy Competition, reaching the final nine competitors of over 1100. Amongst these competitors were included Special Forces members as well as US Marines. That year also saw him honoured by the UK Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron.
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He has completed his first book that chronicles his 10 Million Meters Challenge which will be published soon. A documentary film of his adventures has also been produced for television.
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What is coming up for him this year is literally unreal. You wont believe it. But it will be worth it. He is desperate to raise awareness for this heartbreaking disease.
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For Alex it's too late but, my god, if he felt he was able to protect anyone else from going through what he is going through, I know he would be a happy man.
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I cannot tell you how incredible this human is but this chat gives you a pretty good idea ;-)
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Help Alex show the world "Parkinson's isn't the end of someones life, it's the beginning of a new journey. It's about challenging perception, creating hope, and hopefully realising better treatments for me and millions of people around the world"
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www.alexflynn.co.uk
Facebook: Alex Flynn - Keep Moving - My Fight Against Parkinson's
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