Shave to support Dad with Parkinson's

Dad first learned that he has Parkinson's about 11 years ago when he noticed that he was having increased difficulty to do his job at work. He was extremely relieved when I told him in 2006 that I got my first full-time job. He was coming to the decision to retire as his physical condition could no longer permit him to do so, and my financial independence made it easier for him to finalise that decision.

However, he then apologised to me for failing as a father to provide for his family, and wished that he could have worked longer to make our lives easier. That was the last thing I would have expected him (or anybody in a similar situation) to say, and I will never forget that.

We were never well-off, but we always had enough. My parents lived simply and taught us to do the same. They made the most of dad’s single average income in New Zealand and ate into their retirement fund to put my brother and me through university, as my parents believed it their duty to raise their children to be productive, people-loving, tax-paying, good citizens. They have achieved this, and this is my chance to give back.

Dad has always been a frugal man who firmly believes in family, responsibility, friends, loyalty, commitment, hard work, giving back to the community, reuse and recycle, DIY, and integrity (the importance of valuing and keeping ones words).

He believes and practises a simple life; he has never taken a holiday, bought something for himself (or allowed us to), or done anything for his own pure enjoyment or indulgence. He believes in and practises giving and expecting nothing in return, in being grateful and content for what you have. No surprise, he’s a private man, who shies away from any recognition or spotlight.

Dad has Parkinson’s that comes with a free side of depression, and I am so proud of how he has lived a fulfilled life to date through it all – through overcoming the emotional upset when loved ones who did not understand Parkinson's tell him that he can stop the shaking if he put his mind to it, and gaining their understanding and acceptance; the continued balancing act of managing his weight, dosage of his medication and the side effects of not having enough or too much; from being a steady 69kg man to managing just over 50kg at the moment despite eating mountains of food which affects his self-image, his confidence, and his ability to do things – he has never once complained or moaned.

Instead, he showed me that what you have, what it limits you to do, does not define you. When his conditions allows him, he enjoys fixing appliances for friends and family, and googles parts and methods to do so; he enjoys playing the harmonica and flute, and jokes that Parkinson's has helped him to play the harmonica as he can vibrato on auto-pilot; he loves reading autobiographies; and enjoys his life with his wife, whom he has been married to for 39 years.

My dad's birthday is coming up on 25 February, so I'm fundraising till the end of that day. The shave is planned to take place on 14 February 2016, or what I call, the International Love Day, as I want and know that all who contribute to support me and my dad are doing so with love.

Whether you are contributing or not, I would like to thank you for reading our story. Thank you for your loving thoughts. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2016.