Willie McCarney’s early years were studded with a series of traumatic incidents culminating in the death of his mother, when he was still under 10 years old. Everyone has to learn to deal with the ups and downs of life but Willie seemed to be getting more than his fair share of hard knocks. A Japanese proverb advises: “Fall down seven times. Stand up eight”. Like a baby learning to walk, Willie was back on his feet after every knockdown, stronger than before. He studied hard, qualified as a teacher and later as a trainer of teachers. He got married. Three months after the wedding his wife was struck down with an incurable disease. To hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, takes strength. Willie was not going to allow himself to be crushed, not even when Parkinson’s came knocking at his door. This book is the story of his fight back which continues 10 years on. He argues that the more physically active you are, the easier it is to live well with Parkinson’s. He offers hope in the future.