Parkinson’s advocate Alison Wood nominated for Pride of Australia award

ALISON Wood was inspired to be an advocate for those living with Parkinson’s disease after her older sister was diagnosed about five years ago.

ALISON Wood was inspired to be an advocate for those living with Parkinson’s disease after her older sister was diagnosed about five years ago.

But in turn, Mrs Wood has inspired the community with her perseverance and determination to make a difference.

The Black Forest mother, 42, ran the Heysen 105km marathon in October and has raised more than $18,000 for Parkinson’s disease research.

But her dedication to run 105km was nothing compared to the hardship her sister, Monica Hall, has endured since she was in 2009 diagnosed with the degenerative disorder of the central nervous system.

Mrs Hall was forced to stop work as a television producer after experiencing slowness, rigidity and a lack of coordination.

Last year, the 50-year-old’s tremor had become so severe she underwent deep brain stimulation surgery. The

Ms Wood told The Advertiser it was easy to get through the most gruelling parts of the run because it took one thought of her sister to motivate her.

“For the last 5km I was really struggling with my mind and my feet were awful so I just had to think of Monica,” Mrs Wood says.

“She was the only thing that got my through to the finish.”

But she says, unfortunately, two days after the marathon, her sister had a setback and ended up back in hospital.

“(Monica) has been up and down ever since — the Parkinson’s is certainly taking over.”

Now, Mrs Wood has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal for her selfless, tireless and largely unacknowledged actions that have enriched the lives of those around her.

“I’m just so privileged to be nominated because I didn’t do (the run) for me, I did it for Monica,” she says.

“I will stand proud for her and on behalf of everyone with Parkinson’s.”

In the nomination, Mrs Woods was described as a woman who continued to help give people with Parkinson’s disease a brighter future.

“It is with the deepest and most heartfelt gratitude that I nominate Alison Wood for the Pride of Australia Medal,” the nomination said.

Sometimes the most inspiring people live and work right beside us.

Please join us in celebrating these everyday heroes by nominating someone you know for a Pride of Australia medal.

To nominate a local hero for a Pride of Australia award, click here