According to the World Health Organisation, Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that causes problems with movement. While there is no cure, therapies and medicines can reduce symptoms, which include tremors, painful muscle contractions, and difficulty speaking.
The secondmost prevalent age-related neurodegenerative illness after Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s affects an estimated 10 million people worldwide and about 20,000 in Malaysia – a figure expected to rise in coming years.
In conjunction with World Parkinson’s Day yesterday, FMT Lifestyle chatted with Mottino in his KL home, where he shared more about his journey.
“I first noticed symptoms like rigidity, poor balance and slower movements,” he recalled.
Initially attributed these to old age, it wasn’t until they grew more frequent that he suspected something amiss and consulted a neurologist.
Mottino was subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which came as a shock “because I didn’t have any family history that I knew of”.
Still, he tries to maintain a positive attitude and go about his daily life as usual, keeping his symptoms in check through western medication.
A member of the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association, Mottino is also a proponent of acupuncture, saying it alleviates some of his symptoms.
A usual day sees him waking up early and exercising to keep himself moving. On certain evenings, he practises Chinese calligraphy – which, incidentally, was how he met his wife, Chin Yun Sen.
Mottino, who is originally from Italy, explained that he had moved to Malaysia for work in the 1990s and, upon retiring in 2007, decided to take up calligraphy. By a stroke of luck, Chin was his teacher.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, 56-year-old Chin shared that she had learnt a lot about Parkinson’s following her husband’s diagnosis.
She has also had to be more patient with him, as he now required more help with his daily life compared to before. For example, if Mottino grew apprehensive or anxious over his slower movements, Chin would have to be the voice of reason to calm him down.
“Communication is very important, as we have to tell each other what we feel so as not to let the other person’s negative feelings fester,” she said.
“Because of this, I’ve had to do a lot of self-reflection, too, to better control my emotions.”
Observing the dynamic between husband and wife, the love and synergy in their relationship is evident. As Chin noted: “It’s a balance, and we complement each other well.”
Ultimately, Mottino advises those who have received a Parkinson’s diagnosis to accept it and do their best to maintain an active lifestyle. For example, he still travels annually and splits his time between Malaysia and Europe.
“Be confident that you can get through this and survive,” he concluded. “Continue doing your normal activities as best as you can, even at a reduced pace.”