MARIE Leeming from Preston is an inspiration to all who meet her.

The 63-year-old mother-of-five suffers from Parkinson's disease and arthritis. She is confined to a wheelchair and has had seven operations on her hip.

Initially, medication staved off a lot of the symptoms of Parkinson's and she was able to work, but eventually she became rigid and at times could not move at all.

"When that happened, to stop my grandchildren being afraid, I told them I was 'locked up'," said Marie. "I thought it would help them understand."

But she admits having Parkinson's with other complications does make her feel like she's locked up: "It's like a prison sentence, sometimes."

But she doesn't dwell on it, despite the pain caused by a trapped nerve in her back, Maire has never given up hope.

She works hard writing on her computer, making cards, and pursuing other hobbies like making vases and colourful tapestries.

Her husband Eric is amazed at some of the beautiful things she's produced. He said: "I always say it's amazing with wheelchair-bound people, it seems to bring out hidden talents."

One of Marie's main projects is writing her life story and, though she can't hold a pen, excerpts from her story are published in the monthly magazine for Moor Lane Day Centre.

Other acheivements include the publication of the first poem she ever wrote - in praise of her husband and carer Eric - in an anthology entitled Jewels of the Imagination.

"I'm inspired by people around me including care staff at Moor Lane," she said: "But it's what I feel about the way people treat me and how grateful I am because I'm so dependant on others now."

Marie has always been a busy person, so to be forced to depend on others for almost everything has taken its toll. "That's one of the hardest things, relying on other people," she said.

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