Nikki Blackwood was washing the dishes on maternity leave the first time her body stopped doing what it was told. Her right foot arched and her toes curled under.

"I thought, 'This is a bit strange. My body is doing this and I’m not controlling it,” said the 35-year-old new mother and investment bank manager.

Nikki Blackwood, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Credit:Janie Barrett

She found brushing her teeth and writing became a struggle as her right arm would move in a haphazard manner and she soon began to use her left arm to control her right.

When a neurologist asked her to walk down a corridor her right arm wouldn’t swing.