Kathleen Kennedy (74) from Ballincar is Chairperson of the North West branch of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland and has been battling the disease since 2018. Kevin Fitzsimons (62) from Cairns Road, who is also a member of the branch, received his diagnosis in 2020. They are just two of the estimated 12,000 people living with the condition in Ireland and amongst 200 in Sligo. Famous heavyweight boxer, the late Muhammad Ali had Parkinson’s while singer Linda Ronstadt, actor Michael Fox and TV presenter, Jeremy Paxman are other famous people battling the disease. Singer/songwriter Shay Healy who passed away in 2021, aged 78, also had Parkinson’s. Receiving a diagnosis came as a terrible shock to both Kathleen and Kevin. They tell their stories in the hope that it will give hope to other sufferers and their families. They are doing it with the help of their families and friends which is a great source of comfort and solace to them as they have a solid base of pract
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