In the Spring of 2006 a raft of motor and non-motor neuro symptoms arrived after a general anaesthetic and for nine years, until May 2015, I lived with and was medicated for a "likely Parkinson's Disease" diagnosis. Coming off PD meds saw neuro symptoms continue and the arrival of bladder failure along with cardio/BP chaos and significant gastro motility problems (now diagnosed as widespread autonomic dysfunction with end-organ engagement) - consequently I have become a virtual recluse, mostly housebound, but clearly I remain optimistic that things may improve although recent surgery/chemo for breast cancer and separate vascular surgery has somewhat dampened that optimism for now!
For several years, from 2010 to 2021/2 I was very involved with the running of a brilliant e-sailing/virtual navigation website at Sailonline.org and during this time my energies were focused on the world of sailing and ocean-racing, so when a group of Sailonline sailors (see tab The Sea) decided to qualify for and race in the Fastnet Race in 2013, I thought it would be fun to be part of the action.... by including in the crew a wee stuffed parrot! Thus it was that #RCtheParrot came to be. You can see how well this succeeded if you click on links below!
#RCtheParrot was a sort-of mini me, she has several presences now (each member of Jubilant's crew has one with its own design harness!) so for a time pictures and adventures of #RCtheParrot kept "me" out and engaged in the wider world. The advent of #COVID19 and my own downturn in health have meant this has taken something of a back seat.
#RCtheParrot was also a hashtag on Twitter - associated with various good causes and charitable fundraising but is on a hiatus for now!
