The technology easing former footballer’s Parkinson’s symptoms from 700km away

But the medical breakthrough is bittersweet, with many Parkinson’s victims, together with Mickan’s brother, unable to learn from the progressive remedy.

It is a breakthrough remedy for the previous Crows Club Champion, who was identified with Parkinson’s a 12 months after teaching West Adelaide to the 2015 Grand Final.

He had endured crippling stiffness and tremors.

“My whole feeling of well-being wasn’t there and after the surgery, it was life-changing really,” Mickan mentioned.

Three implants have been positioned contained in the 62-year-old’s mind and linked to 2 pulse turbines on both facet of his chest.

These implants and turbines are in a position to be managed from Melbourne.

“I can log in remotely to either one and at the same time I can see the effects of the stimulation changes that I’m making now many hundreds of kilometres away,” Dr Evans mentioned.

The remedy has seen Mickan regain management of his fingers with out the necessity for treatment.

“I reserve the right to mow the lawn,” Mickan mentioned.

“I still can drive the car and I feel like I’m functioning as well as I possibly could under the circumstances.”

About 150,000 Australians live with Parkinson’s illness however there are solely 1000 receiving such a distant remedy.

Mickan hopes will probably be rolled out extra broadly within the years to come back.

“There are a lot of people out there in the country or in regional areas who don’t have access to a neurologist and they too could benefit in the same way that I have,” Mickan mentioned.

The remedy shouldn’t be appropriate for all Parkinson’s circumstances and Mickan’s brother is amongst these left to cope with the signs the easiest way they’ll.

“It was difficult for the whole family,” he mentioned.

“We certainly get around him and hope for the best.”