‘Life-changing’ Parkinson’s centre opens at Forest Glen

Community

15 Apr

by Cameron Outridge

Dexter McMullen recalled the onset of symptoms. It began innocuously with “a thumb moving” uncontrollably, gradually escalating to relentless aches that doctors struggled to diagnose.

“You feel like a hypochondriac,” Dexter said. “You almost don’t want to ask for help because it’s not something you can see. We start getting fatigue. We have mental blanks, our brains get foggy. We start to lose our balance, we might lose our sense of smell. It touches so much of our body and in every person it seems to come out differently. There’s no particular direct pattern for it.”

After years without proper guidance, Dexter and his wife Bev discovered The Parkinson’s Centre (known as ‘The Park’) at Forest Glen nine months ago—a discovery they both describe as “life-changing.”

It’s Queensland’s first purpose-built allied health centre dedicated to Parkinson’s care. Its official opening was on April 11—appropriately World Parkinson’s Day.

‘There wasn’t a roadmap’

Dexter detailed the exhausting journey Parkinson’s inflicted on both him and Bev.

Despite consistent exercise recommended by healthcare providers, Dexter found himself deteriorating and feeling worse. A bad fall, when his left leg failed to do what his brain told it to do, resulted in concussion and highlighted how debilitating Parkinson’s had become.

“Such a simple thing,” Dexter said. “And I’m young, so I’m pretty resilient. How would that be for someone in their seventies or eighties? That could be the end of their life.”

Bev described watching helplessly as Dexter battled symptoms without targeted support. They felt stranded, unable to find specialised care – until an internet search led them to The Park.

“At first there wasn’t a roadmap,” Dexter said. “Finally we found a roadmap and the roadmap led us here.”

At The Park, Dexter and Bev discovered a holistic model of care, uniquely inclusive of both patients and their carer partners. Dexter said the centre provided comprehensive support—physical and cognitive therapy tailored precisely to everyday living needs.

“They address cognitive skills, strength—there’s nothing they don’t address,” Dexter said. “They’re compassionate people. We didn’t find much compassion on the way here, I’m sorry to say. But here, they are so open-armed.”

Bev echoed Dexter’s sentiments, emphasising the impact the centre has had on her as a carer.

“Dexter has felt like this is his second home,” she said. “It’s made getting out of bed every day worthwhile. And it’s been life-changing for me as well.”

Founded by Barbara and Rory Cullen, the centre honours Rory’s late mother, who lived with Parkinson’s and at one point was left with only eight cents in her account while desperately needing care. Motivated by his mother’s struggle, Rory described the heartbreaking memory of her reduced circumstances as Parkinson’s progressed.

“Imagine you’re in your mid-eighties, living with Parkinson’s for over twenty years,” Rory said. “You desperately need support, and you’ve got just eight cents in your account. That was my mum.”

Parkinson’s Support Fund

In her honour, Rory and Barbara announced the establishment of the Sunshine Coast Parkinson’s Support Fund, launching symbolically with eight cents in the account. The fund aims to ensure financial hardship never blocks essential care for Parkinson’s sufferers, of whom there are about 2000 on the Coast.

“The Park is more than a clinic,” Barbara said. “It is a community. Parkinson’s tries to make your life very small. We work every day to help people live bigger, fuller lives.”

Dexter, reflecting on the extraordinary support he had found at The Park, was grateful despite his circumstances.

“There is a blessing in Parkinson’s,” he said. “It is a slow disease and it affects your partners. But by learning that if you fight hard and if you do the work, the quality of life becomes something else. I can’t explain it. Life is so much sweeter.”