Diagnosed: Recent Episodes
Todd Murfitt
Jesse Frick was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis whilst preparing for exams in year 12. A hugely talented young man, he had everything ahead of him – when life threw this enormous curve ball.
Jesse’s brother is an old school mate of mine and so I’ve followed his journey from a distance and as fate would have it Jesse is now leading a choir at Parkinson’s SA – so naturally and fortuitously our paths crossed. He is now cruising around in an electric wheelchair and finding ways to impact lives for the better. I was interested to chat with him and by the end of our conversation just incredibly thankful he spared the time to talk to me – I think it is fair to say that having a significant challenge in your life can contribute to an amazing depth of perspective and perhaps hurry the development of wisdom.
In order to set our meeting up I agreed to attend the Parkinson’s choir – so firstly I need to apologise to the rest of the singing group.
I also remembered to turn on the microphone a little late, but you’ll join us as we were chatting shortly after my first choir lesson – which was of course led by Jesse!
Today’s guest experienced a diagnosis that most of us fear the most. A principal colleague of mine for many years, only weeks into starting in a new community was dealt the dreaded cancer card. He has been through a daunting program of radio and chemo therapy and come out the other side with some new perspectives and what must be a new understanding of his own strength and determination.
Hello and welcome to Diagnosed, the show that shares real stories for people working through a life-changing diagnosis. I'm your host Todd Murfitt. April the 11th is world Parkinsons day and today we're going to talk with two very special guests about the challenges faced when handed the news that they have young onset parkinsons disease – an incurable and degenerative neurological disease, commonly recognised as shaking in old people, but that really is just the penguin on top of an enormous iceberg. Living with Young onset parkinsons disease myself, I'm very much looking forward to this discussion! So we've each cracked a beer and I'll invite our guests to introduce themselves.