Programme one looks at the issues faced by Deaf people suffering from Parkinson's disease.
John and Cliff have both been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Each has had to find a way of living with the effects Parkinson's has on body movement. Symptoms can include trembling, stiffness, sleep problems, memory problems and difficulty walking and keeping balance.
Symptoms that are particularly devastating relate to the expression of sign language. Difficulty controlling movement means signs can become 'blurred' together or repeated abnormally, sometimes one handed signs are produced using two hands. Sign and fingerspelling becomes slower and sign-space becomes smaller which affects grammar because correct spacial placement is no longer possible. Reduced facial expression also has a big impact on grammar because the face is essential to accurate sign language. The result for some can be severe isolation.
Coupled with this has been the struggle to access information since there there is currently no officially produced information available in Sign Language or support groups for Deaf people.
For John and Cliff, having Parkinson's has meant losing hobbies and their former lifestyle, but both remain positive and continue to be the person they formerly were despite their problems.