Council
30 September, 2023
Positive outlook inspires others
FOR Warrnambool great grandfather Andrew Suggett, living with Parkinson’s means you have “good days and better days.”
The active 80-year-old is an inspiration to all who know him and all those who have the pleasure of meeting him.
Not one to sit back and let others “do all the work,” Andrew loves to be involved in his local community and to give back to the town that has been his home for just over eight decades.
“Warrnambool is a great place to live; who wouldn’t want to be this close to the ocean? It’s great for mind and soul,” Andrew said.
“I was born just up the road and really haven’t ventured too far away. There’s nothing better than the smell of the salt sea air; my wife Betty is from Williamstown and she also loves it here.
“We met in high school and married in 1966. We have been blessed to have three wonderful children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; there’s nothing more important than family, friends and community.”
And Andrew has perfected blending the three. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease just on 23 years ago, Andrew said he was forced into early retirement.
But that didn’t limit his options, it actually opened more doors than he thought ever possible.
“I didn’t retire from, I retired to and I’m a great believer in that,” he said.
“My diagnosis, and my retirement from the workforce (having worked in the banking sector) actually opened so many doors for me.”
One of the biggest doors led him to an active role within Warrnambool’s Parkinson’s Support Group.
“I went to a group meeting, the first centred on grief counselling and the second was on palliative care.
“While those are very important issues and ones that certainly need to be discussed, I thought there really had to be something more and something that would uplift and encourage those with the condition and their support network. Not long after that the opportunity arose for me to take over as leader of the support group.
And he has not look back since; encouraging those with Parkinson’s to make the most of every opportunity, to expand their support network and to share their experiences.
“I declared then and there that our support group would be exactly that; we would support each other and be very much a social group more than anything. We get together regularly, we talk (about anything other than medication, we leave that to the doctors) and we enjoy each other’s company.
“One of the biggest epidemics in towns like ours, and many others, is loneliness and that is a terrible reality. Our support group helps to alleviate that.”
With meetings held at Macey’s Hotel on a regular basis, the Warrnambool-based group attracts anywhere up to 40 members who get together for a meal or a drink, a few laughs and a chat. And it’s not just for sufferers; carers and loved ones are also welcome.
“The sad thing is that when someone dies, often so too does the support received. That’s not what we’re about. In our group we have widows as well; we want people to know that we care and we continue to care,” Andrew said.
“The thing with Parkinson’s is that you can have good days and you can have better days.
“On my good days I can’t even write (which was one of the reasons I had to retire early) but I just look for something else to do; on better days everything is great.”
When not busy with the Parkinson’s Support Group, Andrew is also chairman of the Warrnambool Health Support Network – another group very close to his heart.
“Our network involves all service providers and support groups across the district. At the moment we’re planning an expo, to be held on the Civic Green in November.”
It is anticipated the expo will attract close to 30 health providers who will showcase the many and varied support services that are available to those diagnosed with a chronic illness.
“Unfortunately many people are totally unaware of just what is available to them locally and we’re hoping this upcoming expo will highlight what’s available,” Andrew said.
“It’s important people know they’re not alone in their fight and that we are all here and we care.”
