Evans Head teacher Tanya Entwistle from McLeans Ridges tackles massive hike to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research

A tremor through her body was the first sign a Northern Rivers woman’s life would change forever. Now, she’s doing all she can to help others living with Parkinson’s disease.

Tanya Entwistle has Parkinson’s disease and she tackled the Portuguese Camino trail to raise funds for research into treatment and a cure. Picture: Supplied

A tremor through her body was the first sign Northern Rivers woman Tanya Entwistle’s life would change forever.

The McLeans Ridges resident of 20 years was working as a food tech teacher at Evans River K-12 School at Evans Head when an arm stopped swinging as she walked and her handwriting changed.

As her symptoms worsened, Ms Entwistle went to see a neurologist to find out what was wrong – and was shocked to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 54.

Ms Entwistle said being told she would gradually lose control of her mind and body when she sought help in February last year was “quite terrifying” and came as a “big shock”.

McLeans Ridges residents Tanya Entwistle and her husband Peter Entwistle. Picture: Facebook.

“There's a certain mourning that you do in relation to your future that you’ve thought that you’d have,” she said.

Most people with typical Parkinsons develop symptoms at 50 years of age or older. Younger than 50 is considered an early onset, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Parkinson’s is the second most common neurological disease nationally, following dementia, and the disease impacts about 150,000 people Australia-wide. Almost 40 people are diagnosed each day, Shake It Up Australia states.

As the disease progresses, those with the condition slowly lose control of their body, suffering from cognitive impairment, movement issues and – perhaps the most well-known symptom – tremors, among other problems.

Parkinson's drugs treat symptoms, but there is no cure.

In the face of the diagnosis, Ms Entwistle tackled the Portuguese Camino trail in May to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's disease research.

She has family with the disease and wanted to make a difference for them, as well as herself, while still able.

“I wanted to do something to help the Parkinson‘s community, to help with research and find better therapies, and ultimately a cure,” she said.

Tanya Entwistle struggled to walk - but trekked on regardless.

Tanya Entwistle on the move.

Already battling to walk, Ms Entwistle braced took on the mammoth task assisted by walking poles to help her keep her balance.

Ms Entwistle thought she would make it 100 kilometres – but told herself “I can do this” and ploughed on.

In the end, she walked a staggering 290km and 410,000 steps over a dozen days.

Tanya Entwistle on the Portuguese Camino trail.

Ms Entwistle raised almost $6000 for Shake It Up, which funds research for treatments and a cure.

“It felt really, really good to do something positive and to help other people in the Parkinson's community and increase awareness of the disease,” she said.

Now, Ms Entwistle is feeling okay – she said she takes medication and exercises to help keep the disease's progression at bay.

She said taking control of the disease early on and finding support groups helped her come to terms with the diagnosis.

“I‘m trying to work out all the things I can do to have as positive influence as I can on the Parkinson’s,” Ms Entwistle said.

She urged others with the disease to “find out the things that you can do to help slow the progression of the disease so you can take a bit more control so things”.

Visit Shake It Up or the Parkinson’s Foundation online to find out more.