Despite media attention surrounding Bill Estabrooks’ announcement that he has Parkinson’s disease, the Timberlea-Prospect MLA and NDP cabinet minister stresses he’s “not special.”
“Lots of other Nova Scotians deal with health issues and deal with Parkinson’s,” Estabrooks told Metro yesterday.
“But I have to be fair to my constituents and … fair to Nova Scotians to let them know I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s before the last election and I’m managing it.”
Estabrooks revealed to the CBC Friday he has been dealing with Parkinson’s for two years.
He said as long as he eats right and gets enough rest, the neurodegenerative disease is not hard for him to handle — although he admits some of the lifestyle changes have been trying.
“Some days after a long night before where I didn’t behave like I should, those days are long,” he said, laughing.
“That doesn’t mean I have Parkinson’s, that means I’m getting old.”
But while the days of “Wild Bill” — his college nickname — might be over, Estabrooks said he’s not slowing down too much.
“I’m still playing ball hockey with the kids, I’m still out canvassing on Friday afternoons,” he said.
“I’ve just got to be a bit smarter than, as a man, I’ve been for a long time, particularly when it comes to diet and the pace of my day.”
