An IT manager from London who has Parkinson’s is starring in a national TV advert as part of a major charity campaign to encourage people with long-term health conditions to get active.
Jagdeep Singh Aujla, 53, from Redbridge, can be seen boxing in his garden and cooking with his family in the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ campaign.
In the UK, 145,000 people are currently living with Parkinson’s.
Jagdeep, who was diagnosed with the condition last year and had been teaching martial arts for more than 30 years, has stayed active throughout his life. The married dad-of-two has trekked to Mount Everest’s base camp, run marathons and completed the London to Brighton bike ride several times. He’s now preparing to take on Mount Kilimanjaro in October.
Jagdeep believes that being active has helped him both physically and mentally. He is now setting up non-combative boxing sessions for his fellow members at Parkinson’s UK’s Redbridge and Epping group.
Jagdeep, who works at the Adult College of Barking and Dagenham, says that staying active was the very first thing he was advised by the doctors, when he received the news of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s from his consultant. “The consultant said it’s [being active] the best thing and even mentioned boxing, and I started to research how it benefits Parkinson’s. I’m all for being active and it will bring a positive outcome to anyone with an illness,” he says.
Jagdeep says he’s proud to be part of the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ campaign and notes that he’s had lots of friends contact him after spotting him in the adverts. He says, “I’ve had loads of people get in contact with me, people I haven’t spoken to in a long time. People at my work have been getting in touch with me, saying well done and that I’m inspiring others. I’ve had a few stares in Tesco that I wouldn’t usually get!”
“I also feel I’m helping men with health issues to speak, it’s something generally men don’t do. Personally, a problem shared is a problem halved and it’s good to make people aware they are not the only ones in this place,” he adds.
New research carried out by OnePoll for ‘We Are Undefeatable’ revealed that 67% of people surveyed feel in a better mood after physical activity. Although staying physically active is beneficial for our minds and bodies, sometimes finding the motivation to move can feel challenging, especially for those living with a long-term health condition.
Tim Morton, the Physical Activity Programme Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said “We’re so pleased that Jagdeep is raising awareness of this on behalf of the Parkinson’s community. We know how important being active is to managing symptoms. It is important for both physical and mental wellbeing, especially as depression can be a part of the condition, and being active is often the way in which people take control of their Parkinson’s.
“We hope this campaign will show people with Parkinson’s that by ‘moving to their mood’ they can help themselves to live well with the condition,” he concludes.
Advice, information and support for anyone affected by Parkinson’s is also available via the Parkinson’s UK website, parkinsons.org.uk, or their free confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
