Nine To Noon The Wellingtonian walking to reduce the effects of Parkinson's disease
Mar 4, 2026
Jennifer Andrews, diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's and a long-distance walker who has written about her pilgrimages, shares her journeys. She talks about planning a 150 km Wellington circuit, coping with winds and hills, and practical gear and blister prevention. She explains walking techniques, conscious gaiting with Parkinson's, and how long treks reshape perspective and resilience.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Diagnosis Sparked A Walking Pilgrimage
- Jennifer Andrews was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's at 48 and responded by taking up long-distance walking.
- She completed thousands of kilometres on pilgrimages across Europe and started a 150km circuit around Wellington as part of ongoing training.
Use Small Steps On Hills
- Take small steps uphill rather than forcing a constant pace to conserve energy and maintain momentum.
- Jennifer learned this technique from a friend and uses it on Wellington's hilly terrain to get views and reduce strain.
Challenging Trails Force Safer Walking
- Consciously navigating difficult trails can improve safety for someone with Parkinson's because it forces focused foot placement.
- Jennifer found she fell only once on a flat street when not concentrating, while gnarlier trails keep her attentive.