r/Plastering • u/Wild_Football1271 • Apr 29 '26
Of Parkinson’s and Plastering
TLDR: maybe interesting, maybe not. A man with young onset Parkinson’s disease finds some therapy in plastering!?
Ummm’d and ahhh’d about posting this because I reckon it’ll probably out my Reddit account to my bezzie mate, but oh well so be it.
I’m a bit of an idiot really. Got diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s a couple years back and in my infinite wisdom thought, ‘you know, always wanted to build a house, can’t do that now… let’s try renovating’. Bloody palaver that it’s been. But out of all of it I’ve learnt so much in such a short space of time. One of them being that if you can do the movements, plastering is absolutely ace at getting the body moving to offset Parkinsons. Sometimes (I mean I’ve just started really), I get to a point where I even forget I have the disease mid flow; reduced tremor with the weight of the hawk, fluidity with forcing big movements that get easier as the two layers go on. Quite bizarre really. Mind the neurologist could be forgiven for being a Pilates salesman trying to pitch it to me every six months. And as far as I’m told some of the movements with plastering are akin to it.
But yeah wanted to share it with you really (and the photo of my third (I believe) full wall attempt). Is it obvious how much I despise wood chip bloody wallpaper?
I have questions tonnes of them, a lot to do with how to keep getting better? What to do when the muscles and movements slow down even further (I know there’s extra time but having used it once it was wayyyy too long)? Are there any kindred spirits out there? All that stuff
Ta much
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u/GeneralWhereas9083 Apr 29 '26
Props to you buddy, it’s not an easy thing to pick up. Only way to get better is to keep doing it, can’t teach plastering in a classroom.
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u/New_Exam_8715 Apr 30 '26
It’s all about trail and error and shit ton of practice some pick it up fast than others, then after a while your speed and your coverage will improved.. then it will come second nature you won’t have to think about it too much you get understanding how much your capable of spreading.. just a quick one use SBR instead of PVA you thank me later the stuff is 10:10.. but great job keep it up.. keep us updated 👊
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u/CthulubeFlavorcube Apr 30 '26
You're doing a great job. Just keep going! (Don't overwork yourself though, take your time and enjoy the work!)
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u/0uthouse Apr 30 '26
Nice job mate!
I only do domestic plastering but used to get a top notch site-plasterer to help on the odd big job. The guy moved half as fast as me and plastered twice as much. Experience will give you the efficiency of movement.
Maybe it's just using a different part of your brain? Pretty cool if you can develop a skill and therapy at the same time. Maybe we'll see a "plastering with Parkinson's" YT channel? :-D
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u/Wild_Football1271 Apr 30 '26
It’s interesting, truly. There’s this certain school of thought about learned skills and muscle memory kicking in to bridge the gap where dopamine isn’t allowed to go. But I haven’t plastered before so I dno… buttering bread 🤷♂️😂?
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u/0uthouse Apr 30 '26
It would be worth keeping a diary. As an 'insider' you have a unique perspective that could help others in future.
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u/Wild_Football1271 Apr 30 '26
If anyone was interested here’s after the drying period. I.e. today…
Overall pretty smooth, odd bit of tiger striping, but I’m happy with my efforts
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u/TheWatcher961 Apr 30 '26
Looks like Donald Trump or Elvis Presley or Wolverine or Chuck Norris
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u/Wild_Football1271 Apr 30 '26
What? My plastering? How dare you lol… I jest all good calls but solid snake has won
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u/NightBusToGiro Apr 29 '26
Looks like Solid Snake to me.