Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the Lourdais Michel Penhard has been pedaling against pathology. This Tuesday, he will try his hand at the hour record on the Tarbes velodrome, a personal and collective challenge to advance the fight against Parkinson’s and get patients out of isolation.
“I went from carer to patient in less than a year. We don’t realize how much good these people can do us…” Michel Penhard’s life changed in September 2016, when we Diagnoses him with Parkinson’s disease, he the nurse, health executive, who had spent 42 years in care and in particular at the hospital in Lourdes and Astugue. He had only tasted retirement for a few months, had undertaken a mission in Grenoble with his wife, when the fatigue became stronger. “I had muscle stiffness, then finally tremors, says this musician and heavy sportsman. There, I immediately thought of Parkinson’s. The diagnosis fell like a cold shower. I had dreamed of many other things for my retirement. And then I had a very negative image of this disease, having dealt with end-of-life patients. It was very hard to accept…”
“The first time he went up to Luz-Ardiden, I expected the worst in the evening. But he came back in great shape”
Especially since the first year of treatment is very trying, with many side effects. Until this conference around Parkinson’s in Grenoble where Michel discovers on stage patients who dance, play music. “They were so happy, flexible, full of grace. It changed my outlook on the disease.” The young retiree meets Françoise, the manager, to whom he sings the first song he composed about the disease. Fifteen others will follow, for those who grab their guitar daily. “Françoise had gone through a period of depression from which she emerged by investing herself with other patients, around dance too.” Michel follows in his footsteps on the track, which will make many of his six children laugh. Above all, Michel is getting back in the saddle, he being passionate about the little queen. “The first time he went up to Luz-Ardiden, I expected the worst in the evening. But he came back in great shape” smiles his wife Marie-Françoise. Michel pedals every day. “You have to find your rhythm, which is good for you. You have to get used to the disease. Physical activity is essential to prevent the disease from taking over. When I cycle less, the stiffness comes back. The fatigue is the first symptom of Parkinson’s. But when I’m on the bike, I feel like I’m not sick anymore.”
Passionate about cycling, Michel Penhard practices guitar and singing every day, at least an hour, often with his wife. / Photo AB
“The performance? It will depend on my condition and the mood of Parkinson’s”
Michel Penhard is also involved in the France Parkinson association. “I owe a lot to Claude who is a wonderful delegate.” He also meets Marcel Pouyllau, also a cyclist. It is he who will push him to try his hand at the hour record, this Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. on the Tarbes velodrome. With the idea of getting close to 28 km/h. “I’ve never done a track, until the first test on Tuesday, in the company of Marcel and four companions who will be his pilot fish. We’ll see how it goes. It will depend on my condition and the mood of Parkinson’s. It’s very variable. You have to understand the symptoms, like the fact that my left arm is more handicapped, which means that I tend to drift to the left, towards the lawn, on the velodrome. But I’m confident. And then it’s above all a meeting of friendship, as allowed by the association. Physical activity helps me that the disease progresses slowly. It’s also to give others the desire to “Dare to embark on projects, slips the one who tamed the Tourmalet recently. The goal is also to make France Parkinson known so that the patients do not remain alone. When I see how I was the first year, all the way covered and the friends I met thanks to Parkinson’s, it opened up other avenues for me and changed my outlook.” Who is now moving towards new mountains to overturn but also towards nine and soon ten grandchildren to pamper.