Mother of Five Returns too Boxing a Week After Childbirth, Despite Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Annelien, a 42-year-old mother of five, is defying expectations and challenging perceptions of Parkinson’s disease by maintaining an active lifestyle, including returning to boxing just one week after giving birth to her fifth child. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Annelien openly discusses her experience, aiming to raise awareness, especially for women living with the condition.
“‘Mama is sometimes a doctor Bibber,'” Annelien recounts, referencing a playful joke with her children.She describes the initial symptoms as subtle – a stiff shoulder, a restless thumb – but quickly recognized the severity when a neurologist observed the lack of movement in her left arm during a walk. despite the diagnosis, and facing uncertainty about her career, Annelien is persistent not to let Parkinson’s define her.”I was almost my colleagues, and now? I?” she questioned, but remains resolute.
Annelien’s commitment to physical activity is a deliberate act of defiance. After experiencing pregnancy sickness with her fifth child, she realized her reliance on medication and actively chose to regain control through movement. “Control, but I refuse to get stuck in it,” she stated. This led her back to boxing school a week postpartum and onto the hockey field four weeks later, demonstrating her body’s surprising resilience.
She hopes her story will bring more attention to the unique challenges faced by women with Parkinson’s, highlighting the need for research into how hormones influence symptoms and medication effectiveness. Annelien acknowledges that the disease can cause speech and swallowing difficulties, explaining that unusual speech patterns are a symptom, not intoxication.
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