Many OCs have stories to tell, of their experience in work, of tragic moments, celebrations, and great achievements. Colin Reed’s (West 1981) story contains all these. By turning adversity into an achievement that is changing the way Parkinson’s disease is treated across the world and perceived by setting up a charity that treats thousands of families and has become one of Europe’s leading Parkinson centres.
Colin married Laura, an Italian girl in 1990 and they are about to celebrate 33 years together. They moved to Italy some 30 years ago where they had a wonderful life with two children and two grandchildren. Colin (now called Alex by his friends) has worked as a director of a number of international companies and ran his own international consultancy business.
Then at the age of 46 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. At first he was shell shocked. “The doctor said ‘take these pills and I’ll see you in six months’. I walked out feeling utterly helpless.” It was this numbing experience that led to him to take action. Feeling that there must be a better way, he set up the European Parkinson Therapy Centre, a non-profit company based just 50 mins from Bergamo airport. “The Centre is unique, revolutionary and a game changer for many of its guests,” he said. “Its protocols are used by many other centres. It has won awards and is so highly regarded and recognised that it runs world-wide webinars involving all the main associations of four continents.”
Using his experience and new-found knowledge, he pulled together a team of leading experts in Parkinson’s to create a treatment method that started from the idea that people with Parkinson’s were not sick but pioneers and real people who deserved respect and dignity.
“The treatment given at the Centre has been ground breaking,” Colin said. “Through the world’s leading researcher on Neuroplastic effects of exercise (correct exercise can improve balance, walking, posture and much more) to psychologists who showed that Parkinson’s is deeply affected by the way you think of yourself. If you think you are a victim you become a victim. If you think that Parkinson’s is just like getting older. You can have a good quality of life and carry on living. We need to reach people as early as possible and start getting the truth out there: Parkinson’s is not a terminal condition. After diagnosis you can live a high quality of life.”
Through only word of mouth, the Centre now has clients from 45 countries, is fully booked out and has even purchased a new building and opened a web studio that does exercise classes, online training, worldwide webinars and has become one of the world’s largest online centers. In addition the Centre now trains other health professionals on treating Parkinson’s and has helped Parkinson UK with a newly diagnosed program, and regularly hosts large groups from many countries offering therapy and a holiday with breathtaking scenery.
Colin now has 14 years living with Parkinson’s is still director of the centre and is his own tour operator.
For more information on the European Parkinson Therapy Centre click here