|
 Yves Auberson overcame muscle spasms and other symptoms to make the
three-month trek last year. Setting off eastwards from Montreux
where he works as a coach in a clinic, he scaled high-altitude
peaks, passing cows grazing in lush green pastures.
Auberson was elected Personality of 2020 by the public in the region
around his hometown of Nyon, near Geneva.
"What motivated me to do this hike, is that I wanted people to know
better this disease that is really unknown. So I did something that
I think was important and that maybe people will relate to. The fact
that I did this hike, some people understood, more than I hoped, it
went beyond our hopes,” the bearded 52-year-old told Reuters
Television.
“It was very important to me, because I wanted to show that it is
possible, even with Parkinson's disease, to still do a lot of
things. As I love the mountains, it was obvious that I would do this
challenge in the mountains.
"I received a lot of emails, tons and tons of messages of
encouragement, thanking me. This is what feeds me and I’m well-fed
now."
Auberson, previously a professional golfer, was diagnosed at age 35
in 2004 with Parkinson's, a brain disorder that causes shaking and
difficulty with walking, balance and coordination, and worsens over
time.
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 In March he underwent major surgery known as
deep brain stimulation to implant electrodes in
his brain and a wire in the chest that sends
pulses to reduce symptoms. He suffered a painful
withdrawal from most of his 15 medications and
expects a five-year respite.
"Everything has changed. Really, everything. I
can do things I couldn’t do anymore. I have to
be careful, because I did not heal completely.
Well, I will never be completely healed, we know
that Parkinson's disease is not curable, but
here, they gave the chance to have a new life
and this is so great, because I’m operational.”
Auberson plans a fresh feat but remains coy: "In
this new challenge, there will be a bike, a
tricycle, I will have a customised bike
fabricated, and water. There will be water and a
bike."
(Reporting by Cecile Mantovani; writing by
Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Giles Elgood)
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