Yep, I have Parkinson’s Disease.
I was diagnosed on August 14, 2018 – four years ago.
I’ve kept it secret all this time.
Only a few close friends know.
My mother, and my mother-in-law, don’t know,
nor one of my sisters.
I first noticed symptoms about 12 months before I was diagnosed.
Loss of smell, tremor in my dominant hand, small handwriting, a weakening voice, a stooping posture and shuffling gait. I consulted Dr Google, and it all pointed towards Parkinson’s. So when the neurologist – one of the best in the country – told me, I wasn’t surprised.
For the first year after I was diagnosed, only my wife Jennifer knew. After twelve months I told my children. For two years I went without medication – but it started to seriously mess with me and so I finally asked to be medicated. And the medication has helped hugely.
Why did I keep it secret for so long?
Because I didn’t want people judging me, labelling me, putting me in a box called “Damaged Goods.” I didn’t want it to affect my career. I wanted people to say: This is Bill Bennett, the film director. I didn’t want them to say: This is Bill Bennett, he has Parkinson’s Disease. The film industry is very judgmental.
Okay then, so why am I making this public now?
Well, an article came out today in the Fairfax publications, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, in which I discuss how the fear associated with learning of my disease informed my new film, Facing Fear, soon to be released.
Here’s a link to the article: Filmmaker Facing Fear.
How am I now after 4-5 years with this disease?
I’m doing okay. I’m doing all those things I’m meant to do to slow the progression of the disease – I’m exercising regularly and intensively, I’ve changed my eating habits, and most importantly I’m thinking the right way.
I’ve refused to accept that I’m sick – that I have an incurable brain disease. I’m getting on with life – at full steam. I have a lot to do before I can’t.
I don’t see this as a bad thing.
I see this as a gift.
Bill Bennett - Thoughts & Dreams 
16 responses to “I have Parkinson’s Disease”
Best wishes Bill; your honest openness about such a personal matter is admirable.
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Thanks Glenn, very sweet of you. Hopefully I can keep it at bay for a few more years before I can’t drive or type etc any longer. I’m just grateful for each day at the moment.
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We should all be grateful for every day we have. Life’s but a brief candle as the Bard so eloquently put it. Was recently in Adelaide for a son in law’s 60th birthday and caught up with the ever engaging Trevor Farrant of ABC fame; he’s still writing for US TV shows and as enthusiastic as ever. Michels-Warren split up and Geoff is now in Sydney and Tony Brookes has found his niche in SA wines!
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Heard an interview on ABC RadioNational this morning regarding a promising new treatment which somehow involved ‘recharging the brain cell batteries’. May be of interest to you.
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Joe Dispenza has helped many people heal -including PD… if interested, check out U tube Joe dispenza testimonials.
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Thanks Susan, I’ve spoken to Joe about this. You know that he’s in my film?
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Bill, I commend you on how you are confronting this challenge and dealing with it – changing your eating habits, thought processes, Incorporating exercise routines, and making this journey a work project. You are enlightening the path for everyone as we each face obstacles – be they physical and/or mental. Thank you!
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Thanks Judy. I try to meet this head on but sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes I want to just curl up in a ball someplace where it’s warm and read a book and wish it all away. But that’s fanciful thinking- haha
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That’s gloomy news, Bill. But as always, you’re in talented company. When I read reviews of your latest film, I’m reminded that legendary film reviewer Leonard Maltin also had Parkinson’s. So did numerous other celebrities as talented as yourself; including Alan Alda, Michael J Fox, Robin Williams, Ozzy Osbourne, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Neil Diamond and Linda Ronstadt. Holy Moly, I’m told over ten million people have Parkinson’s. And speaking of holy … even Billy Graham and Pope John Paul II had it. So, bless you, old mate. You’ve been entertaining people since before I first met you – back in the seventies – when we both worked on the TV show “Willesee At Seven”. I hope you keep on entertaining us for many years to come.
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I am lucky and honored to be your friend.
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I feel likewise Kurt.
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Bill, when I read your personal revelation I was deeply struck by your authenticity and, of course, your considerable courage. We don’t know each other. Some time ago, out of the blue one of your facebook posts appeared in my feed and somehow we became “friends” on facebook (which we all know doesn’t mean real friends). Ever since, I’ve been following your posts and reading about your work with growing interest. Apologies if this sounds a bit creepy or lurky 😆 but just wanted to give some context for my comment. And thanks to that random facebook “connection”, I’ve learned about your work, past and present. More importantly though, it seems to me that you’re truly blessed with a wealth of authentic and meaningful relationships with others sustained by your kindness and generosity of spirit. I don’t doubt that these connections will continue to guide and support your work meaningfully and purposefully. While not in any way intending to minimize the significance of your Parkinson’s diagnosis, I applaud your choice to view it as a gift. True courage which doesn’t necessarily mean an absence of fear! I very much enjoyed PGS and look forward to watching Facing Fear when I return to Australia early next year.
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Thank you for this Marcia -and for making contact as you have. If you liked PGS then I think you’ll get a lot from this new film. If you’re in the US then we launch there in San Rafael mid January, then rollout from there. I make these films not to proselytise, but to personally find out what’s going on – what’s there that I don’t understand. I’m not doing these films to inspire others. I think that would be an exercise in hubris and misguided self-righteousness. No, I do these films for purely selfish reasons, and if others get something from them then that’s a collateral benefit- but not my core motivation. I hope we cross paths at some point in our respective journeys. Bill.
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Your reasons for making these films seem most appropriate to me. And, are probably what makes them so powerful! I’m in Canada not the US as my two daughters and my granddaughters live here. I spend half the year in Ottawa/Montreal and the other half back in my home in beautiful Tassie. BTW, I enjoyed your facebook photo posts when filming recently in Tassie. Taking such good care of yourself is a gift in itself for your loved ones. All the best!
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My husband has had great improvement from using the PD-5 protocol, almost all his symptoms has subsided 4 months into using the PD-5 protocol. we got it from binehealthcenter. com don’t give up hope.
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Thank you Patti – I’ll check it out. How long had it been since your husband was diagnosed?
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