Annmarie O’Connor on early-onset Parkinson's: My wellbeing was routinely challenged

An early onset Parkinson’s diagnosis left Annmarie O’Connor struggling physically and emotionally. However, she noticed significant improvements after making lifestyle changes that supported her medical regimen

Annmarie O'Connor: Irish Examiner fashion editor and Parkinson's advocate. Picture: Miki Barlok

I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in December 2021. Actor Michael J Fox was my only frame of reference for the neurological disorder. 

It affects 10m people globally — 15,000 of them live in Ireland. Progressive and incurable, Parkinson’s destroys the nerve cells in the brain that create dopamine, the chemical messenger responsible for movement, mood, motivation, and pleasure.