The Montrealer has been diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson's disease

Montrealer Manon Day was diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson's disease at the age of 27. Now 39, and in honor of April's Parkinson's Awareness Month, he's spreading the word about the condition, which is common in older men, and what someone like him might be going through.

“This is a very important message that we are sending today. Just think to the neurologists, and you're 20, 25, 30, and you could have Parkinson's,” explained Day's mother, Carmen Wiens.

Day said he was undiagnosed and had to deal with symptoms including stiffness, hypotension, bladder dysfunction and stuttering for 10 years. In many cases, the practitioners felt as though they had abandoned her and her family.

“None of them could diagnose me,” Day said.

Manon Day. (Photo credit: Courtesy of Manon Day)

Wiens added: “One day Manon was very unwell and I called several times and they told me she wasn't going to make it through the night. It was hard, I mean it was scary. It wouldn't be necessary if some of them were more important.”

The family says everything changed after they arrived at the Montreal Neurological Institute.

“It helped me a lot,” said Day, who finally got proper treatment.

Testimony by Manon Day. (Photo credit: Anastasia Dektren, CityNews)

Wiens added: “I had a new girlfriend when he started taking the medication. For neurologists to understand that you are 25 years old and have Parkinson's disease.'

About 10 to 20 percent of people with Parkinson's develop symptoms by age 50, according to Parkinson's Canada. The key, Day says, is to surround yourself with the right care team.

“You have to reach out to other people who are affected. You have to be proactive,” Wiens said. “The main thing is to deal with it and not get depressed. It's important.”

Date: “Yes, to have a good mind.”