You are probably wondering why my pen name is the Parkie Poet.
I worked in the finance sector for 32 years, covering Scotland and North West England.
My life was turned upside down in 2015. Up until a couple of years prior to that, I was running the Edinburgh Park run 5K every Saturday, I completed regularly in 10Ks, and, in 2012, I ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon.
I began to slow down and I was aware I was tired a lot more than usual. My wife at the time noticed my pinkie was trembling and suggested a visit to my GP. After visiting a neurologist and going through a series of tests, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Things deteriorated quite quickly and I had a mini stroke in 2018, which meant I could no longer drive or work.
During lockdown, I started writing again and fell in love with poetry and words all over again.
When I was younger, I had dabbled in writing short stories and poetry.
Over the course of the next few years, my health deteriorated and I had carers come into see me four times a day.
My marriage broke up and, in January 2022, I moved into assisted living complex.
I kept writing poetry from my heart on various subjects and life observations. At this time, I was using a powered wheelchair and using public transport to get around.
I published my first book on Amazon in January 2023 and I followed it up with my second book of poetry, published in July 2023.
You guessed it!
This is where the Parkiepoet name came in.
I published my third book, 12,000 words about a particular part of my life growing up in Edinburgh.
Last year, I did my first public performance for Book Week Scotland. It was in my local library in Loanhead Midlothian, and, to my astonishment, about 80 people came to listen to me read poetry and tell short stories.
My love of books and my writing have saved my life. Honestly, they have given me a purpose and sense of achievement.
My fourth book is taking me a little bit longer but I'm in no rush. I'm just enjoying my writing and reading for as long as my health permits.
I thank you for the opportunity to write this.
Kind Regards,
Graham Thomson,
The Parkie Poet