Waves support group for movement disorders established by David Murphy 12 years after diagnosis
David Murphy was 48 when he was told he had Parkinson’s.
The father-of-three vividly remembers the shock of being diagnosed with the neurological condition in 2014.
“They said I would be reviewed within six months to a year. I went out the door and didn't know whether to go this way or that way or through the wall in front of me,” he told the ‘Journal’.
The ex-joiner said there was practically ‘nobody to help’ when he got the life-changing news.
That is, of course, with the exception of his family and his clubmates at St. Mary’s, Banagher, for whom he played football in his younger days.
"It didn't really hit me until January 2015. I had great support from my family and the local football club,” he said.
Now 60, and 12 years down the line, David has set up a new support group for people impacted by movement disorders.
Waves meets in the Everglades Hotel at 3pm on the first Friday of every month.
“I started it in March. We had our first meeting and it was attended by five or six of us.
"It is for anybody with a movement disorder so it is not confined to people with Parkinson's. It's an open door and everybody is welcome to come along whether they have had a stroke, Motor Neurone Disease or any kind of neurological condition,” he explains.
Attendees will receive a warm welcome, support and advocacy.
David said the need for such empowerment is pressing given the long neurology waits often experienced by people living with conditions.
Parkinson’s patients, he said, have access to only a handful of specialist nurses across the whole of the North.
“My vision it to try to help people. We called it Waves because it has a ripple effect on everybody, on your family, your friends.
“It is to help other people who have been on the journey. I've been on this journey for over 12 years now. I've got the T-shirt and have worn it so maybe I can help someone else along the way.
“Just come along, have a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, a chat, and we'll go from there,” said David.
Waves meets at 3pm in the Everglades Hotel on the first Friday of every month.
Contact David on 07967757555.