WHEN Michael J Fox stunned the world by announcing he had Parkinson's Disease, the illness was thrust into the limelight.

Unlike more common complaints, not many of us could relate to the disease, or understand how distressing it could be.

In the UK alone, one in 500 people suffer from Parkinson's - a progressive, neurological disorder, affecting movements such as walking, talking, writing and swallowing.

Symptoms include tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement, but not everyone will experience all three.

Barbara Olive, 63, of Haxby, recalls her doctor was not alarmed when her right leg started "jumping". But when it spread to her arm he referred her to York Hospital.

After a series of tests she was diagnosed with Parkinson's and given various drugs to find the right mix for her.

Five years later, she has come to terms with the diagnosis and learned how to take her life back from the disease.

"I feel as though I've crossed the line now," she said.

"When I was first diagnosed my consultant at the hospital said: 'Don't forget, Parkinson's has got to live with you, you don't have to live with it.'

"I've tried to follow that, and the more I think about it the more I realise he's right."

Although the disease only affects Barbara's right side, she expects it to eventually spread over her body.

She suffers tremors, weariness and stiffness, and her angina and rheumatoid arthritis make it difficult to assess the extent Parkinson's affects her.

For her, the weariness is the worst.

"It's not just growing tired; it's a weariness you can't get rid of. I often take a shopping list into town and get the bus straight back empty-handed because I'm so weary.

"I've also learned to say no when I don't really want to do something so I can conserve my energy for something I really do want to do.

"I was very disappointed about giving up my job as a secretary at the University of York because I really enjoyed that, but it got quite awkward because I had to run around a lot up flights of stairs and I was trembling a lot. I started spilling wine at receptions, which was quite embarrassing. I had no choice really, but it is not like that for everyone."

Barbara described the disease as being like a "ticking time bomb", waiting to see what symptoms she would eventually develop, but has learned from watching other sufferers.

"Parkinson's has an effect of masking people's faces and feelings," she said.

"I often feel like saying to people: 'This isn't me; this is not how I really am.' I've always been so very active and this sitting around and resting isn't in my nature at all.

"I find I quite frustrating, and that's probably one of the worst things about it - the frustration.

"On the bright side, it takes you a couple of years to really get your head around it but now I feel quite happy that I've come to terms with it."

The York branch of the Parkinson's disease Society meets on the first Monday of the month at the Yearsley Bridge Centre, Huntington Road, from 7pm to 9pm.

New members, the family and friends are always welcome.

For information, phone the secretary Mrs Wilks on 01904 645819.

Fact file

What is Parkinson's disease?

A progressive, neurological condition.It is named after Dr James Parkinson who first identified it as a specific condition.

What are the symptoms?

The three main symptoms are tremors, rigidity and slowness of movement, although not everyone will experience all three. Other symptoms could include tiredness, depression, and difficulties with handwriting and other forms of communication such as speech and facial expression.

Is it hereditary?

There is no conclusive evidence to say it is hereditary, although it does occasionally run in families.

How is it treated?

There is currently no cure, but sufferers can take a variety of drugs to improve quality of life.

Updated: 11:22 Friday, July 15, 2005