Parkinson’s Disease: Stephen’s Journey

Paul’s Message on Stephen’s Journey with Parkinson’s Disease:

Many of you may remember Stephen from a previous post before Christmas, where we shared his inspiring goal to enter the Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships.

Stephen has been a long-standing client of ours. We originally worked together managing his knee, so I’ve had the privilege of knowing him well before his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Throughout that time, one thing has always stood out: he is an exceptional businessman and a natural problem solver.

True to form, Stephen has approached Parkinson’s in exactly the same way.

Rather than accepting a narrow path forward, he has taken a global, investigative approach—seeking out the very best information, advice, potential causes, and treatment strategies available. He has explored both conventional and emerging perspectives, applying critical thinking and diligence to everything he encounters.

What’s particularly remarkable is that Stephen hasn’t kept this knowledge to himself.

He recently brought together his findings into a comprehensive and thoughtful presentation for a Parkinson’s discussion group at the Roehampton Club. I was fortunate enough to attend, and it was a genuinely insightful and inspiring session.

Stephen shared his journey from initial diagnosis—covering the early challenges, medical pathways, and medication experiences—through to his ongoing exploration of lifestyle and therapeutic interventions. This includes areas such as nutrition (including organic food choices), environmental considerations, and broader health strategies that may not always feature prominently in mainstream discussions.

He has also investigated and implemented a wide range of physical and neurological therapies. We’ve supported him here in the clinic using the PD Warrior approach—an evidence-based neurophysiotherapy programme developed in Australia—but Stephen has gone further, researching and integrating additional methods to optimise his function and quality of life.

What stands out most is not just the breadth of his research, but his mindset.

Stephen approaches Parkinson’s as something to actively work with—something that can be influenced, managed, and improved through informed action. That perspective alone is incredibly powerful.

In fact, he has been told by his neurologist that he is among the highest-functioning Parkinson’s patients they have seen at his stage of the condition. That is no coincidence—it is the result of sustained effort, curiosity, and commitment.

We know that many of our clients are directly affected by Parkinson’s, and many more will know someone who is. That’s why we felt it was important to share Stephen’s work more widely.

His presentation offers not just information, but hope, direction, and a practical framework for taking control where possible.

We encourage you to watch, share, and pass this on to anyone who may benefit. The right information, combined with the right mindset, can make a meaningful difference.