New service helps people live well for longer

A dad-of-three who considered suicide after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease says a new service which helps terminally ill adults live well for longer has saved his life.

Pete Almond, 64, from Luton, said he supports the Macmillan Independence and Well-being Service, launched today and based at Keech Hospice Care, because it has given him back his quality of life after it seemed all hope was lost.

“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005 and I was in a deep, dark place with depression. The bottom dropped out of my world because when you read about Parkinson’s there is not a pleasant future to look forward to,” said Pete.

“I lost my family, I lost my home and I lost my job as a production engineer. I was referred to the service which has helped me enormously. It has been brilliant.

“It’s changed me mentally and physically. I would recommend anybody who has the chance to take up this opportunity and grab it while it is going. What have you got to lose?”

The Macmillan Independence and Well-being Service provides rehabilitation for people in Luton and Bedfordshire with long-term, palliative conditions including; cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders.