Parkinson’s disease is painful reality for North Shore resident
In the spring of 2001, North
Shore resident and television cameraman, Ray
Fitzwalter was contacted by his colleague and friend, TV Producer/Director,
Jerry Thompson to shoot an unusual
documentary about a strange story concerning Michael J. Fox and a 1970’s CBC television series. That program - called Leo and Me - launched
the meteoric career for the star of Family Ties, Back to the Future
and Spin City.
The documentary showed that Fox
was just one of four people who worked on the series and would later develop
Parkinson's disease (PD). All four, and possibly others, began to have
the symptoms appear at roughly the same time in the early 1990s. The evidence appeared to be more than just
coincidence.
In the three months of hectic production
that followed, Thompson led Fitzwalter and the rest of his crew back in time to
the CBC studios, and around North America examining the latest evidence and
scientific research into the disease.
They interviewed BC residents who were part of the original Leo and
Me production team including Vancouver Island resident and former Script
Assistant Sally Gardner, and finally
interviewed Michael J. Fox personally in New York City.
The documentary, The Parkinson’s Enigma, telecast
on CTV in March of 2002, created quite a storm of media interest. It raised the question of whether or not
Parkinson’s – a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system – could possibly
have some sort of environmental trigger. The answer is still a mystery.
In an ironic twist of fate, just a
few months after the documentary was released, Fitzwalter learned that he too,
was facing a similar future. That cruel diagnosis cut short his career and
changed his life forever.
Today; this kindly, well spoken
gentleman is the Coordinator of the North Shore Parkinson’s Support Group.
Ray Fitzwalter knows he had a charmed career
– but all too brief. His colleagues
describe him as an excellent and sensitive photographer. The carefully hand-framed photos on walls of
his home reveal an extensively travelled and keen creative eye. He was trained by the BBC “the finest...you learn everything - from how
to coil cable - right on up” but immigrated to Canada in 1968 and soon
found a regular spot in the Toronto television studios.
In 1980 he and his wife Pat moved west to
Vancouver and settled on the North Shore.
They raised their family of two boys.
While Pat worked at an insurance company downtown, Ray freelanced around
the world for all the major broadcasters including ABC US, ABC
Australia, CBC, CTV, Discovery Channel, TSN, and History Channel.
Ray’s work was never just a job, but a window onto a
fascinating world. His lights and
cameras, evolving from black and white through to High Definition, were
instruments for illumination of many topics.
He modestly recalls some highlights, including an interview
with Saddam Hussein at his palace in Baghdad, televising live opera from Covent
Garden in London, and two weeks in Eastern Europe documenting the fall of the
Iron Curtain.
So when Jerry Thompson hired him to shoot the documentary on
Michael J. Fox, Fitzwalter was unfazed by working with celebrities and quite
sensitive to challenging and delicate issues.
What he learned would change his life.
“Working on the
documentary was a pleasure. Jerry is a
very thorough, well prepared Producer.
Michael was very affable, very open about his condition. His interview was the most important element
of the film and we all knew that. We shot at his office in Soho, in Manhattan. It went very smoothly.”
For the few months that followed prior
to the release of the documentary, life continued as normal, but then one day around
Christmas, Ray felt an odd twitch in his left leg. “Having
just done the documentary I just thought it might be that.”
The twitch continued, and Ray
went to his doctor investigate. His diagnosis was confirmed just as the
documentary was being released.
Fitzwalter had never questioned his
good health. A non-smoker, he always kept fit and careful with food and drink.
There are no genetic issues in his family.
Parkinson’s disease, for which
there is no known cause or cure, is a progressive, degenerative neurological
disorder which causes tremor or trembling of the arms and legs, muscular
rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with speaking and swallowing.
“It’s
different for everyone. For me, the worst part is the fatigue. I feel that I
have to ration my energy. And simple
jobs that used to take me five minutes now take hour, or I can’t do them at all.”
In the years
since his diagnosis, Ray and his family have been forced to make gradual but significant
adjustments. Now both retired, Ray and Pat still enjoy some travel, although
that has become increasingly difficult of late. They have had to do some
modifications to their home for easier mobility and anticipate needing more in
the future. More and more time revolves around therapists, physicians, and
specialist visits.
Like most who suffer with
Parkinson’s disease, Ray’s physical symptoms have become progressively more
severe. His energy is limited, and his
muscles are beginning to experience rigidity.
Writing is now impossible, and typing is becoming increasingly
difficult.
Is it hard to cope? “I’m
learning patience, I think. It’s a balance between accepting my progressive
condition while not succumbing to it. I
don’t worry too much about ‘Why me’? You play the hand you are dealt; after
all, there are worse problems. My family
are a great support.”
“This disease prematurely ended the
career I loved. It has put a burden on
Pat who has to do more than she should.
But worst of all, I can’t get down on the floor to play with my
grandson, Tyson.”
The cause of Parkinson’s remains a mystery and researchers have found no way to cure or even slow the
progression of this disease.
 |
| Ray Fitzwalter and Patrick Moore on location in the Yukon |
For more information:
Diane Robinson, CEO, Parkinson Society British Columbia drobinson@parkinson.bac.ca (604)-662-3240
Ray Fitzwalter, Coordinator, North Shore Parkinson’s Support
Group, rayfitz@shaw.ca (604) 986-6885
The documentary maker, Jerry
Thompson and his wife Bette reside in Sechelt, BC. He can be reached at rainstory@telus.net. Telephone (604) 885-9813
Michael J. Fox is currently taping a new
sitcom series which debuts on NBC this fall.
It follows the life of a newscaster who
is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson's Research is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD) through
an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensure the development of improved therapies for
those living with Parkinson's today.
News reports about the CTV documentary,
The Parkinson’s Enigma, can be found at: https://listserv.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/wa?A2=parkinsn;ygBfKA;20020323030014-0800d
Facts
about Parkinson’s
·
Nearly 100,000 Canadians have Parkinson’s disease with approximately
5,500 new cases diagnosed each year in Canada
·
There are 11,000 British Columbians living with Parkinson’s disease.
·
In Canada and the United States
·
According to the Brain Repair Centre at Dalhousie University, brain
disease and disorders (like Parkinson’s disease) will surpass cancer and heart
disease as the leading cause of death and disability to Canadians by 2040 yet
at present, there is no national strategy to address this growing concern.
·
The present-day impact of brain disease and disorders like Parkinson’s
cannot be overstated. They are
devastating for entire families; they result in an enormous loss of
productivity; and they cost the Canadian health care system more than $30
billion annually.
·
Parkinson’s is one of the most pervasive neurological diseases – to
date researchers and clinicians have found no way to stop, slow or prevent
Parkinson’s.
·
Canadian Movement Disorder specialists estimate the cost of medication
for a typical Canadian with Parkinson’s to be $1,000 per month.
·
The proper care for a person with Parkinson’s disease includes: family
physician; neurologist or movement disorder specialist; Parkinson’s nurse
specialist; pharmacist; occupational therapist; physiotherapist; social
worker/psychologist; speech and language pathologist; and dietician.
·
Canadians with Parkinson’s rely on universal access to Home Care
supports and services to achieve maximum quality of life. Sadly, current access varies significantly
from region to region, city to city, and town to town.
·
According to a 2003 economic burden document developed by Health
Canada, much more information is needed to develop a true understanding of the
impact of Parkinson’s disease including:
- Epidemiology
- Medical information
- Burden for individuals
- Burden for families/caregivers
Parkinson Society
British Columbia
Established in 1969, Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC)
is a not-for-profit registered charity that exists to address the personal and
social consequences of Parkinson’s disease through education, outreach,
scientific research, advocacy and public awareness. The Society receives no government funding
and is supported entirely by the generosity of individual donors and members,
corporations, foundations and the dedicated efforts of volunteers.
There are 11,000 individuals in BC,
over 100,000 in Canada and
over 1 million in the US
Programs and services offered by
Parkinson Society British Columbia
·
Consultation at PSBC office or by phone.
· Viewpoints quarterly newsletter with
up-to-date information on research, medication, caregiving, nutrition and other
relevant topics.
·
GroupLink – a monthly newsletter
distributed to support groups.
·
Facebook -
·
Educational conferences and meetings throughout BC featuring national
and international experts in Parkinson’s disease research and treatment.
·
Informational materials.
·
Library – books and DVDs.
·
Direct assistance to 53 support groups province-wide.
·
Advocacy for improved healthcare and access to medications.
·
Workshops and training for healthcare professionals.
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