This Parkinson's patient in Bengaluru doesn't let the disease stop him
Within a year, Hari with his family, friends has travelled 10 Indian states in 41 days.
Bengaluru: It takes a brave heart to face life's hardships and transform sudden losses into opportunities. Fifty-six-year-old Hari Prasad's diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD) in 2008 came as a rude shock to him.
"I had experienced sudden tremors in my limbs, so my father-in-law suggested that I visit a neurosurgeon. Initially, I just felt occasional tremors in my left hand which then became cramps and turned painful after a few months. It was then that I was diagnosed with Parkinson's," recalls Hari Prasad, who could never imagine a life with the disease, but at this phase he has chosen to fulfill a higher purpose in life.
A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, which often includes tremors, usually slows down patients, but for Hari, he decided to leave a promising corporate career and travel the country to spread awareness about the disease.
"How can I just let PD take control of my life? I have decided to look at life differently and urge patients and caregivers not to let the disease affect them in a negative way. Despite the fact that it is a degenerative disease, one must have a positive outlook to life," says, Hari who was a General Manager at a leading American MNC.
In the duration of a year, Hari along with his wife, son and his friends have travelled across 10 Indian states namely, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, covering 8500 kms in 41 days and reaching up to Bhutan.
“I have always loved travelling and in some way this diagnosis has given me that opportunity to just breathe and look out," he adds. Hari underwent a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) operation in the year 2015, which is a surgical procedure used to treat the variety of debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's, such as tremors and rigidity among other manifestations.
"It took me a few years to be ready both mentally and physically for the operation," explains Hari, who decided to go for the trip after the operation. "I quit my job three years back and have received a VRS from my company,” he said.
About the completion of his journey he says, "It was a unique experience and I loved every moment of it. The truth is I know I have to live with it. I feel good post-operation but I know the tremors will be back but I will be positive about it and so should other PD patients."