I am writing to you after reading the Oxford Mail story about Parkinson’s (March 6) in which the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre has been given £6m of extra funding in the hope of developing a potential cure by 2020.

I am so excited about the treatment, having had this dreadful disease, and I would like to take part in these tests.

I have had Parkinson’s for 20 years now and at the end of my tether with this.

I am having trouble walking now and have lots of falls and have to be pushed around in a wheelchair and use my scooter the best I can. I can still get up and walk with my frame a few steps with help, as long as I take my time. I really hate this, of course, and it makes me sad all the time. I have got worse with this in the past year and I am fed up with it already.

The thought of never getting better is worrying and it distresses me, as does the thought of never going out again without a ‘minder’. I could walk about by myself and go out shopping until 18 months ago. I have had so many falls it frightens me.

It’s also daunting I don’t have much to look forward to. I don’t want to sound sorry for myself, I just feel that I need something to take my mind off the problem.

If I could help in some way with these tests, it would make me feel better.

YM WILKES
Trenchard Avenue Milton Heights, nr Didcot