GOOD Morning Britain presenter John Stapleton has revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The broadcaster, 78, who has had a career that has span 50 years, appeared on This Morning Live on Monday alongside his son Nick to reveal the health news.
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In the segment, Nick shared: “Over the last year, I’ve started to notice that dad was seeming a bit more anxious, wasn’t walking as confidently and he had this tremor in his hand.
“So two months ago, he went for some tests and unfortunately a few days later he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
He continued: “It was deeply troubling news.”
John then appeared on camera and I’ve learnt my living for the best part of 50 years, it’s very frustrating at times when someone says to you ‘sorry, what did you say’ and you have to repeat it yourself time and time again.
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I’m fairly pragmatic of the prospect of this getting worse, I try to remain positive because what’s the point of not being.
Nick admitted that the diagnosis did not come as a surprise because John’s mother also had Parkinson’s in the years before she died.
John recalled some of the initial symptoms his mother experienced when she was first diagnosed – including the “inability to open a can of beans or to peel a potato”.
“I’m having the same problem to an extent myself,” he said.
“In the end, she was locked in her own house, her lifestyle changed dramatically and suppose mine will too.”
Nick said he now standing in his father’s shoes, anticipating how he will support him through his Parkinson’s disease.
“I’m finding it difficult to navigate conversations with dad about the reality of what support he might need in the next few years.
“The most extreme situation in my mind, is what to do if can’t live on his own anymore.”
Nick said the idea of talking to his father about moving into a care home is “scary” because it’s the “last thing he would want”.
“I don’t want to patronise him but I am worried, mum died four years ago and he lives alone,” Nick shared.
“If his symptoms get worse, we’re going to need a plan.”
Nick admitted he will have to have difficult conversations with his father – but said it’s “early days, dad is still pretty independent”.
He added: “I want to start these conversations now to get some potentially difficult topics out in the open.”
John opened up about his symptoms saying he was experiencing “continuous exhaustion and lack of energy”.
“It’s a classic symptom of Parkinson’s apparently, I’m going to keep taking the tablets and hope it gets better.”
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