She hid her young onset Parkinson's diagnosis for years. Now she's an 'unshakeable' advocate | CBC Radio LoadedAt 28 years old, Dr. Soania Mathur was building her medical practice and expecting her first child. Then she was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease.At 28 years old, Dr. Soania Mathur of Ajax, Ont., was building her medical practice and expecting her first child. Then she was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease. When Dr.
Mathur co-wrote books about her young onset Parkinson's disease with her kids to help introduce young people to the condition. When symptoms of the disease begin before the age of 40, it's known as young onset Parkinson's disease . "On the more challenging days, there can be more tremors on my right side of the body," said Sharon Chakkalackal, who was diagnosed two years ago, when she was 38 years old.
"I thought this was something that people over the age of 70 tend to get," she said — echoing the opinion of Mathur"In general, we do see knowledge of young onset Parkinson's improving, but the health-care access piece is something we're actively working with provincial and federal governments to enhance," Asis said.
"There were individuals in their young 30s and people who were not of Caucasian descent. So it really shone a light this diagnosis could really be given to anyone," she said.