Skydiving in spring 2011 to help Parkinsons

When 59-year-old Lytchett Matravers grandmother Lynne Jordan jumps out of a plane over the Wiltshire countryside in spring 2011, she is looking for more than another adrenaline rush.She's already paraglided off a mountain in New Zealand, climbed to the highest point of Sydney Harbour Bridge and hot air ballooned over the outback.

She and her son-in-law, Dan Cataldo, 34, of Upton, are teaming up to do a tandem skydive in aid of Parkinson’s UK (formerly the Parkinson’s Disease Society), the charity that has supported the family since Lynne’s husband Ken was diagnosed with the condition 14 years ago.

Lynne, who works as a civilian for Dorset Police, and welder fabricator Dan are aiming to raise at least £500 each, but they are also keen to boost awareness of the charity, which makes sure no-one has to face Parkinson’s on their own.

“I’ve told her she’s not doing it, but she’s taken no notice of me at all,” joked former policeman and sportsman Ken, now 62.

He was only 48 and still working for Dorset Police when he started getting symptoms of Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition that affects one in 500 people. “My arm didn’t swing properly. They started investigating that,” he recalled.

After going through a battery of tests, including a lumbar puncture, to rule out conditions such as motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, doctors put him on a drug called levodopa. When he responded to it, they told him they thought he had Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is mostly caused by premature ageing of the cells deep in the brain that control automatic muscle activity, such as facial expressions and swinging the arms when walking.

People with Parkinson’s lack dopamine, a chemical messenger that carries signals through the gaps between nerve cells in the body. L-dopa works by replenishing dopamine, but its effects tend to wear off.

Although drug therapy, good nutrition and exercise can stave off the symptoms of Parkinson’s, there is no cure. Sufferers often have tremors, a deadpan facial expression and difficulties walking. Their speech may become slurred and they can develop problems swallowing.

The disorder itself is not fatal, but people with Parkinson’s are more likely to have falls, which can lead to fractures and other complications.

Ken was able to carry on working until 2001. “I was in the CID in Bournemouth for 24 years and did a stint in the Regional Crime Squad, but the illness restricted me. I couldn’t do anything confrontational,” he said. Ken and Lynne had always planned to travel when he retired, and have managed to visit South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. “We’re only here once, so we’ve got to make the most of it,” said Ken.

“The drugs are controlling me in a reasonable state. I take every day as it comes. You don’t know what the future is going to hold.”

Until four years ago, Ken suffered from severe involuntary movements in his legs, which he and Lynne believe contributed to the degeneration of his spine. He had two major back operations within eight weeks and was on 65 tablets a day when he came out of hospital.

Ken was put on an opiate painkiller, which has eased the symptoms, but still takes 40 tablets every day.

He and Lynne go to Tai Chi , and Ken, who used to play for local football and cricket teams, now plays short mat bowls.

The national Parkinson’s helpline is 0808 800 0303. To support next April’s jump, see justgiving.com/daniel-cataldo or justgiving.com/lynne-jordan. Poole Parkinson’s Society holds monthly meetings on Saturday afternoons in Oakdale. For details, ring 01202 882022.