Living with Parkinson's: The Experiences of Michael Buckley
Michael Buckley: A Life of Resilience and Creativity Amidst Challenges
Michael Buckley, a 65-year-old artist and filmmaker born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, has led an extraordinary life filled with creativity, travel, and personal challenges.
Born in New Zealand and growing up in Springvale, Melbourne, Buckley's path deviated from the traditional route when he decided to pursue animation and film-making instead of completing his teaching degree. This decision led him to receive an Australia Council grant in 2015 for an exhibition of his paintings in Hamburg, Germany.
Throughout his career, Buckley has been a champion for disability rights, creating resources for various groups for over three decades. His work, including short films and animations, has focused on highlighting the issues faced by these communities.
Despite his success, Buckley's life has not been without its trials. In the early 2000s, he noticed trouble using his computer mouse, a sign of things to come. Two and a half years later, Buckley was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. However, he chose to initially avoid medication and explore alternative treatments.
Buckley's wife, Sue, who had a career involving frequent travel to Europe, discovered she had breast cancer during their time in Melbourne. The couple's only child, Simeon, lived in Melbourne as well.
Michael's main contact for Parkinson's information and support is (Parkinson's Specialist Nurse) Nina. He continues to create short, independent films and write short stories, a testament to his resilience and creative spirit. His drawing ability, surprisingly, has not been affected by Parkinson's.
Last year, Buckley's first grandchild was born, but travel restrictions due to COVID-19 prevented him from meeting the new addition until November. Buckley is planning to visit a Parkinson's specialist for an update on his treatment.
Buckley's early life was marked by a three-year stint in Europe in the 1980s, where he worked odd jobs and lived in squats. He later moved to a holiday house near Jervis Bay, which later became his home.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Michael Buckley continues to live his life with affirmation, as advised by his practitioner, and remains a beacon of creativity and resilience.
- Michael Buckley, in the face of his chronic medical condition, Parkinson's disease, refrained from initial medication and explored alternative treatments.
- As a proponent for health and wellness, Buckley has created resources to address various medical conditions, including chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease and cancer.
- Since his Parkinson's diagnosis, Michael has not allowed the disease to hinder his artistic abilities, especially in drawing.
- In the realm of workplace-wellness, Buckley has been a champion, focusing his creative efforts on issues faced by communities with disabilities.
- In a bid to maintain his overall health and wellness, Buckley emphasizes fitness and exercise, skin care, and nutrition in his lifestyle choices.
- Aging has brought new challenges, but Buckley's mental health and mens health remain steady, a testament to his resilience.
- Buckley's dedication to health and wellness extends to the future: he plans to visit a Parkinson's specialist for an update on his treatment and continues to create art, even as he faces the progression of his chronic disease.
