Life with Parkinson's - Sandra Elms Experience

Sandra Elms: A Life of Travel, Courage, and Resilience

Born in England, Sandra Elms spent significant periods of her life in Australia, first as a child in Perth and later as an 18-year-old adventurer exploring various parts of the continent with a friend. Her spirit of exploration led her to travel to numerous countries, including a three-year stint in the Sudan with her husband.

While working at the University of Khartoum, Sandra and her husband embarked on an overland journey back to England, passing through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Europe. Their travels, Sandra notes, were not touristy but rather an adventure of a bygone era.

Upon returning to England, Sandra decided to start a family and had two daughters and twin boys. Regrettably, her marriage ended, and she chose to bring her four children to Australia to start anew. As a single parent, Sandra faced hardships but managed to raise her children, all of whom went on to attend university.

In England, Sandra was a teacher and medical researcher before moving to Sydney, where she continued her teaching career. She excelled as the Year Coordinator at an independent girls' school and led the school's social justice group, focusing on helping those in need.

Sandra's involvement in philanthropy extended beyond school, as she volunteered for four months at a small school and women's center in Kerala, India. She intends to return for an extended period.

In 2012, Sandra was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in Newcastle, Australia. Although initially unsure, she quickly realized that she was dealing with the progressive neurological disorder. During this challenging time, Sandra discovered the importance of having a supportive healthcare team and making informed decisions about her treatment and exercise regimen.

Although Parkinson's has added complications to her life, Sandra remains optimistic and committed to helping others. In 2019, she attended the World Parkinson's Congress in Kyoto and was later selected as a Parkinson's Ambassador, an honorary role that will see her attend the 2022 conference in Barcelona.

Aside from her work with Parkinson's, Sandra has also dedicated her time to teaching English to refugees, viewing her efforts as a means of paying it forward. In a life that revolves around care, help, and teaching, Sandra understands the challenges that come with living, but her advice remains unwavering: never to quit, even during difficult times.

Sandra Elms' medical research background aided her in understanding her own condition when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Sandra's spirit of exploration is not limited to traveling; she extends it to learning about various medical-conditions and therapies-and-treatments.
Support groups for chronic-diseases like Parkinson's are essential in helping patients cope with their conditions, something Sandra learned from her personal experience.
Sandra's career at a school in Sydney allowed her to introduce fitness-and-exercise programs for students, emphasizing the importance of health-and-wellness.
As a proponent of mental-health, Sandra also focused on creating safe spaces for discussions about mental health within her school community.
Men's health is an often overlooked topic, but Sandra encourages men to prioritize their health and seek help when needed, referring to her own experiences as a single parent raising sons.
Skin-care is an important aspect of overall health-and-wellness, and Sandra encourages her students to practice good skin-care habits.
Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in managing chronic-diseases like Parkinson's, and Sandra advocates for balanced, nutritious diets as part of a holistic approach to health.
Womens-health is a significant concern for Sandra, and she has taken an active role in promoting education and resources for women's health, particularly in the areas of gynecology and reproductive rights.
Parenting can be challenging, and Sandra encourages fellow parents to seek support from parenting groups and online communities for advice and emotional support.
Living a healthy lifestyle is not just about physical fitness but also mental health, emotional well-being, and social connections, such as those found in lifestyle communities and social-media platforms.
Sandra's adventurous spirit led her to travel extensively, and she often shares her travel experiences and tips on her lifestyle blog.
Books on travel, entertainment, celebrities, pop-culture, and sci-fi-and-fantasy provide an escape from daily life and are a part of Sandra's personal-growth and lifelong-learning pursuits.
Sandra is also fascinated by general-news, crime-and-justice, and accidents, as they provide valuable lessons and insights into our changing society.
Inspired by the impact education has had on her own life, Sandra is a strong advocate for education-and-self-development, especially in underprivileged communities.
Sports, including sports-betting on basketball, are a significant part of popular culture, and Sandra occasionally indulges in this pastime, viewing it as a form of entertainment.
Cars have always been a source of fascination for Sandra, as they represent both practicality and creative advancements in engineering and design.
Through her life experiences, Sandra has learned to navigate challenges while maintaining a positive outlook on life, a valuable lesson that applies not only to dealing with chronic-diseases but to all aspects of personal-growth and career-development.