One small shuffle to many giant leaps. This is the beginning of the story Oatley's David Laurence will share at a free public event in Sydney this month.
The Associate Professor from the University of NSW was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011.
It has been a challenging journey to say the least, but innovative treatment has changed his life - and now he wants other sufferers to hear how a battle transformed into a positive outcome.
Associate Professor Laurence is one of the key guest speakers who will discuss Parkinson's disease treatment with deep brain stimulation, on May 26 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.
The mining engineer will share his experiences with neuromodulation therapy, which helped manage his symptoms.
The lecture will cover neurostimulation for chronic pain, bladder conditions and movement disorders.
"Like most Parkinson's people, it was affecting me a long time before I was diagnosed," Associate Professor Laurence said.
Once the therapy was mentioned to me as an option, and I weighed up the alternatives - do nothing or more drugs, I didn't hesitate. I did my research, even viewing youTube videos of actual procedures so I was confident there would be no surprises.
"It has given me a quality of life that I had forgotten was possible. The apathy and downward mood spiral has been replaced by motivation and a positive outlook on life. I also have revived my passion for water sports.
I feel I have a mission now to help others to at least consider this as a therapy. I no longer need medication. I lead a normal, very active life."
