living and dealing with parkinsons

[woody12]

Hi, not sure exactly where to put this here seems a good place. A couple of years ago i was at the age of 46 diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a disease which is a slow progressive condition causing muscular stiffness, tiredness. This has affected my photography by just making it hard to get out and drive, walk and enjoy my hobby. Then a few weeks ago i thought sod it this isnt an obstacle, this is a golden opportunity to teach and help others with problems of disabilities.
I am a member of the parkinsons uk which has numerous events to raise money to help raise awareness. What i like to do is do some kind of sponsored event that involves photography and hopefully sell prints of the work for the charity. Several ideas have come up, like a roadtrip, shooting landscapes on a set timeset. Someone at work gave me the idea of doing a set of photos telling the effects of disablities in photography. I would like to do something, but i have to take note of my own limitations and i not sure where i stand legally. Just wondered what other members think and wonder if there are others that have problems healthwise that impacts on their hobby.

 

[Box Brownie]

I can only wish you the best with everything you do and under the condition and situation you find yourself in, all power to you

Seeing your post reminded me that I had heard of an award winning wildlife photographer............found his website again here. http://www.davidplummerimages.co.uk

I wonder if you could reach out to him for any insight he might be able to share with you???

 

[kendo1]

Have you seen the threads started by @scoped ?
I think there was a link to another forum for disabled photographers mentioned.

Obvious genres for those not able to get out and about would be portrait or macro photography.

 

[TCR4x4]

I have suspected ME, still awaiting further tests.
Some days it’s crippling, others it’s beyond crippling.

Constant pain all over the body, brain fogging, clumsiness, extreme fatigue, muscle cramps and spasms. Not things that are congruent with handling expensive cameras, but it’s just one of those things

 

[woody12]

I'm sorry to hear that Tom, hang in there mate and keep us posted hopefully won't be MS.
Thanks Ken, i havent seen any post but will look into the member @scoped for further information and help.
Thanks Box Brownie i have seen the mentioned photography and did send him an email some months ago but no reply. I saw him on some news program on the bbc and was blown away how good you can still be

 

[rob-nikon]

@woody12 sorry to hear about your illness. A project of some sort does sound like a great idea. I find a subject or project good as it's something to shoot towards and focus the mind.

I can only wish you the best with everything you do and under the condition and situation you find yourself in, all power to you

Seeing your post reminded me that I had heard of an award winning wildlife photographer............found his website again here. http://www.davidplummerimages.co.uk

I wonder if you could reach out to him for any insight he might be able to share with you???

I was just going to say the same. David runs workshops and one-to-ones too so that's potentially an option. I met him when I stayed on Skomer in 2015 & 2016 whilst he was running his 4 day workshop though wasn't on the workshop.

The book can be found here (and from other bookstores)

https://www.waterstones.com/book/7-years-of-camera-shake/david-plummer/9781783523931

 

[kendo1]

I found the link I mentioned:
http://www.the-dps.co.uk/

Hope it is of use

 

[woody12]

Many thanks Ken, looks good

 

[scoped]

Hey @woody12, I'd be really happy to help in any way possible. I've made a set up that works for me,but I think it's pretty adaptable for most photographers, and it uses pretty standard kit!
Here are a couple of threads I made:

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...-a-tripod-around-£50-60-to-hold-4-5kg.657511/ and https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/netbook-for-tethering-controlling-camera.659329/

But, I've learned a lot on how to think around obstacles and challenges disabilty puts up, and im more than happy to share and help, so just ask any questions you may have!

 

[TCR4x4]

@woody12 i was actually thinking along the same lines as you, but in video form. I have a YouTube channel that I’ve unfortunately had to neglect for quite a while and the idea of trying to create some videos regarding photography and chronic illness did cross my mind.
Would be good to show that you don’t have to give up and can still enjoy things even if you aren’t fully able to do all the things you did before.
Once you give up on hobbies, it’s not long before you give up on everything and end up jobless, and living off benefits. Which doesn’t help anyone.

 

[wibbly]

Afraid I can't offer any practical advice but I wish you good luck and good fortune. My Father died a few years ago having suffered with Parkinson's for a while and so I am well aware of just how debilitating this disease is.

Best of to you