Shafaq works almost as hard at being a positive advocate for Early Onset Parkinson’s as she used to when she was an NHS Dentist, a career from which she had to take Medical Retirement in April 2025. In 2019 she was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD), at 40yrs of age. Her children were 9 and 11yrs at the time. It was certainly an unexpected turn, at a time where her children were becoming more independent, and she had planned on developing her career further – instead she was now looking at early retirement and a completely different path.
Since being diagnosed Shafaq has kept herself busy with advocacy and volunteer work, both with Parkinson’s Charities and Research Projects looking into Parkinson’s and other Neurodegenerative conditions. In addition she is Co-Chair of the BDA Benevolent Fund, and Honorary Research Fellow at Queen Mary University London. Shafaq thoroughly enjoys working with DeNPRU Exeter and is a member of the FRIEND group.