I first met Rae and Laurie when they came into my office after attending a support meeting of the Parkinson’s Association. The Association had just had their first meeting in what was to be our meeting room having found their previous venue no longer available. Rae had taken on the task of looking after the Associations small library and had come to sort through some books. She was a very slim and petite elderly woman and pulled behind her on a small collapsible trolley an oxygen bottle, which provided her with oxygen through one of those nasal tubes like those used in hospital.

Laurie undertook to do the introductions, “Hello, this is my wife , Rae, and I’m Laurie. I’m officially her full time carer, but I’m the one with Parkinson’s!” and then he chuckled. Rae smiled and rolled her eyes. Laurie loved to repeat this statement, he found it kind of ironic.

Rae also facilitated the Parkinson’s book club. Every second month they would come to our offices,just a small group of PWP’s ( people with Parkinson’s) and their carers/spouses, to discuss a book they had read and assign a book for the next meeting. Laurie always came into my office for a short hello and to tell me a story or joke before things got underway. Some times I would listen in to their discussion and be determined to read their latest book for myself.

When Rae came to check the library loans and and follow up on outstanding books, Laurie would bring something along to work on. One time, he had been to a copying place to have old photos copied so that he could make up a special family history album for his children. Laurie had grown up in Tasmania and had some wonderful old black and whites of the family house, outings and travel in their their horse drawn cart.

I was to learn that Rae and Laurie lived quite some distance out of Canberra on a small property (farm) and they came into Canberra for the Parkinson’s meetings, to visit their children and to do some shopping. Later they decided that it was time to be closer to services for their respective health conditions and moved into the new Villagio S’an Antonio, retirement village and hostel, in a self contained unit.

Rae, with her oxygen tank, was a remarkable woman. She did all the driving and ensured that Laurie had his medications on time and that his diet provided the optimum for the proper uptake up of his Parkinson’s meds. And Laurie continued to be Rae’s primary carer. They were always matter of fact about their life and how they managed and always cheerful when they came to visit. Even when things didn’t always run smoothly…….

One visit , Rae had problems with her oxygen tank, the valve had become struck and not enough oxygen was coming through the tube and she asked for some help to get it going..”Don’t worry!” she said, ” I can still manage for a while.” Luckily the problem righted itself before too long. Then there was the time that Lauri es medication went “off” (a problem with Parkinson’s meds) which rendered Laurie almost immobile and not able to talk and Rae needed to take him home, “oh, he’ll be OK in a bit, help me guide him to the car” And the time when after a long afternoon, Rae couldn’t get the car started and it was getting close to dinner and…you know, routines. We called the automobile association , but by the time I had to lock up they hadn’t arrived. I had to go home to my family commitments, but I was concerned, so when I got home I sent my son, Stefan, back to check that they had had the car problem fixed and if not for him to give a hand. Luckily all was OK, the auto assn had been and they had left.

Rae found winter particularly challenging. Her lung condition meant that she was very susceptible to infections and the time came when yet again she was hospitalised with an episode of pneumonia. Unfortunately that time, she could not overcome it and that was her last winter. it was very sad news for us, in the office. Laurie , was then moved from his and Rae’s unit and accommodated in the hostel. Although he was cared for as well as could be managed it was not the same as having Rae to make sure routine was maintained. I saw Laurie a few times over the following year and the change was quite noticeable and then Laurie went to join Rae.

What has brought on my reminiscing? I learnt recently that another of our Parkinson’s family has passed away. Oliver, a very proud man, who found it very difficult to cope, but tried so hard. It brought to mind all the wonderful people, from all walks of life, that I had met from the Parkinson’s association…Rae and Laurie in particular, of whom I was very fond.

I feel honoured that the association invites me to their annual lunches and I get to catch up with those who I speak to on the phone and who I see each month as they pass by on their way to their meeting.

There’s Meg, who prepares the monthly bulletin, even though it is sometime since here husband, Charlie, passed away. charlie was in the Air Force in an earlier life and knew my parents, once upon a time. Barbara and Bill who look after the memberships and banking, Vera, the new president who is setting up her own art studio retreat. Nancy, who established the Painting with Parkinson’s group, after her husband was diagnosed, and also established similar groups in the UK. Dennis, who writes poetry and his lovely wife who supports him. Father Paul, who provides a sympathetic ear when needed while his own level of functioning fluctuates quite dramatically. Roger, who is the most recent past president,who juggled his mayoral duties for a neighbouring town with his duties for the association and never failed to poke his head into the office to say “Good morning Ladies!” and recently remarried….congratulations! And many others who come along.