Montrealer diagnosed with rare form of Parkinson’s spreading awareness

Montrealer Manon Day was diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson’s at 27-years-old. Now 39 and in honour of April’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month — she’s spreading the word on the condition that is most commonly seen among older men and that it can happen to someone just like her.

“This is a very important message that we’re sending today. To neurologists, just think out of the box and you could be 20, 25, 30 and have Parkinson’s,” explained Carmen Viens, Day’s mother.

Day says she remained undiagnosed and was forced to cope with her symptoms for 10 years, which included stiffness, hypotension, bladder dysfunction, and stuttering. In many cases, practitioners left her and her family feeling abandoned.

“None of them were able to diagnose me,” said Day.

Viens adding, “One day, Manon she was doing so bad, a couple of times I called and they told me that she’s not gonna make it through the night. It was hard, I’m gonna say it’s horrible. That was not necessary if some of them would have been more serious.”

The family says everything changed once they arrived at the Montreal Neurological Institute.

“It helped me a lot,” said Day, of finally receiving the proper treatment.

Viens added, “By the time she started her medication, I had a new girl. It’s for neurologists to understand that you can be 25 years old and have Parkinson’s.”

According to Parkinson Canada, about 10-20 per cent of those with Parkinson’s develop symptoms under the age of 50. Day says the most important thing to do is to surround yourself with the right care team.

“You have to reach out to other people that are affected. You have to be active,” said Viens. “That’s the main thing to be able to deal with that and not become depressed. That’s important.”

Day adding, “Yes, to have a good mind set.”