Magali de Haan

*   41 years old

*   Primary school teacher

*   Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease since November 2015, aged 37.


Please tell us about yourself ?

I have been married to Frédéric for 17 years. We have three daughters: Garance 14 years old, Amélia 11 years old and Alix 7 years old. I have been a primary school teacher at Profondsart school for 20 years. This little school in the woods has a big place in my heart. I appreciate family moments by the fireplace, reading a good book, going to my favourite thalasso centre and being pampered, seeing my friends over a good meal, booking a romantic weekend or organising an outing with the girls.

I am easy-going, very sociable and I really spending time with people who appreciate me for my naturalness, no fuss. I enjoy life, take advantage of every moment and I do what I really want to do. All positive things!

What were the first symptoms that led you to consult a doctor?

Difficulty brushing my teeth, stiffness in my right arm, difficulty stirring a pot or looking for something at the bottom of a bag. I went to see my doctor to have the usual check-ups. The results were normal. As these symptoms bothered me a great deal every day, she asked me to go for neurological tests which revealed Parkinson’s Disease.

When did you discover you had Parkinson’s Disease and how was it communicated to you?

I was diagnosed in November 2015. My husband and I went confidently to the Ottignies clinic without imagining what we would have to digest shortly afterwards. The doctor in charge of telling us the news was a professional, he didn’t just go through the motions. I vaguely remember him talking without me really being able to hear his words. I realized that my life was shifting towards a new life that wasn’t going to be easy.

How did you react? 

My first reaction after listening carefully to the doctor was to burst into tears. Luckily my husband was with me at this appointment. I remember only part of what the doctor said as I felt as if I was in a bubble where the sound was muted. So, I only understood half of what he said… “99% sure; Parkinson’s; Mirapexin; medication …” That was already quite enough.

When a doctor tells you that you have a disease, you can’t help but think the worst. Words such as disability, death, paralysis, trembling, … come to mind. It certainly took me 15 days to digest the news and to accept it. In fact, I completely blocked my back a few days later. Little by little, days pass, months and years go by. The disease evolves but never a day goes by without me thinking about it.

How did your family and friends react initially and how has this changed over time?

My husband has always said: “You are the one who has the disease, but we both caught it”. This has always comforted and reassured me.

After the announcement by the head doctor of the Ottignies clinic, it was a shock. We went straight to my parents to tell them the news and to be comforted. My brothers and sisters were notified by telephone. I don’t remember exactly what their reaction was but all I know now is that they will always be there when I need them.

Today we talk about it openly, but not at every family dinner either. They are afraid of hurting me but I talk about it, as it does me good.

What is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and how does it affect your life?

At the moment, the main symptom, the one that bothers me the most on a daily basis, is walking. When I put one foot in front of the other I have to think. The right leg is not as mobile as the left. I “drag” the right foot. You can hear and see that. At school, the symptom that handicaps me the most in my work is writing. Little by little, I, who used to have beautiful handwriting, have to get used to the idea that it will never be the same again. These are difficult stages to go through. A teacher who can’t write on the blackboard, these are two things that are not very compatible ;-).  This has a big impact on my professional life in the sense that I have to make a radical decision: should I stop working?         

How would you explain Parkinson’s Disease? 

Explain the disease? That is mission impossible. You have to live it to understand it. And then, above all, there are so many different versions (of the disease)?

What “trick” do you use to help with one of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Since walking is so badly affected, I sometimes stop to start again on the right foot and move forward more smoothly. The problem is that I do this when I feel the need and sometimes I’m in the middle of bowling, in the middle of the pavement etc. So, to avoid bringing attention to myself, I pretend to look at something in front of me. Or, sometimes I look at the sky even when there is nothing there 😉.

What do you miss most now that you have Parkinson’s Disease? 

Writing a sentence on the blackboard. My first challenge. So, we found some workarounds: project on a screen and type on the computer. The children love it.

Crossing the courtyard: second challenge. At home time when parents are waiting at the gate, I feel like I’m being stared at. So, I wait … for the world to go away.

I will definitely miss my job as a teacher. The children don’t realise how happy they make me. They already have an enormous amount of kindness at their age.

What has always been one of your character traits, and how does it manifest itself now? 

I am very dedicated, I live for others. I like to please. I’m very ambitious. Sometimes I do too many things at once. Since I’ve been living with this disease, these traits have become even more present. I want to feel useful, to undertake several things at the same time. I tell myself, as long as I can do it, I will. 😉



How do you see your future? 

The future scares me a lot. Shall we move on to the next question?

Is there anything you would like to do/achieve? How do you plan to do it?

I dream of writing a book… about my story, but in a romanticised way. That’s a nice goal, isn’t it? I’m looking for a writer to work with.

Has having Parkinson’s Disease done anything positive for you? 

Parkinson’s Disease has made me discover a side of myself that I didn’t know. Let me explain.

During a city trip to Marrakech, I had a basket embroidered with my name. Once back in Belgium, this very practical object was a huge success. I decided to return three months later in order to have an order for more items produced. ‘Magazinzin’ was born… and over the course of a year, it evolved at a crazy speed. I work with 10 artisans now who create benches, stools, mirrors, pouches, crockery. It’s magic!  I would never have gotten this far if it wasn’t for the disease. That’s for sure. Thank you life!

What advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease?

Let go! Moaning doesn’t help! Choose the right path, it will help you to fight and defeat this disease. BE POSITIVE!

What motto do you particularly appreciate and try to live by?

Enjoy everything that you do, be sincere and persevere.