Where’s Wiki, The Parkinson’s mascot out and about

I belong to a Peer Support Group for Parkinson’s and some time ago, we came up with the idea of having a mascot accompany us in group. One of the people who was attending made soft toys and so she agreed to make a mascot, which she duly did. The main reason for this, is that we meet in a club that has a bar and meals and we can have something to eat while we connect. Being in a public setting, we were aware that some new people might come to look for the group but had no way of knowing which table held the Parkinson’s group. Especially for those who are new, going round and checking and asking “Is this the Parkinson’s” group could be challenging. So, we decided to have a mascot so people knew to look for the mascot on the table, which made things so much easier.

Our mascot is a pink, teal and purple Kiwi, that prior to the last couple of days didn’t have his own name. He was simply “The Upbeat mascot”. I decided to name him on behalf of the group. I came up with “Wiki” an anagram of Kiwi. It is also a Maori word for ripples in a pond. In Social Work (my previous profession) We talk about a person being at the centre with the ripples coming out from the centre being the various people affected by that life. Those closer to the centre, being the closest to that person and likely to be their main support. So, Wiki it is.

I thought about how we have been using Wiki and he really has not been doing much at all and life would be quite boring for any of us if we only come out one night a month! I was asked to look after him till the next meeting and I gladly agreed. What to do with Wiki I wondered?

I am lucky that I have an active retirement and so, I thought Wiki could come along with me and illustrate how active the life of a person with Parkinson’s can be. At the moment we are in Kaikoura, one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. Wiki has come along for the ride.

I am taking pictures along the way, to show just how much you can do, even though we have this condition.

So far, Wiki has experienced:

• Watched over me while I baked – making sure I did everything right
• Checked out my swim bag, to make sure I had everything for swimming. I go three times a week. I am apt to forget things, so he is right to monitor me.
• Been to bowls with me, nice to have company without critique.
• Came with me to play Rummikub, a game I play two to three times a week.
• Come along on the ride to Kaikoura. Note he is buckled in! Safety first.
• Had a look at the seal colony and the view from our apartment.

There are many more adventures to come

I wanted to illustrate some of the things that a person with Parkinson’s can do. I am enjoying my active retirement and hope that I can inspire others to follow suit, thanks to my cute little kiwi sidekick!