Amanda Keller and husband Harley open up about living with Parkinson’s
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Life is undoubtedly unpredictable, which was never more true than for one family dealing with a heartbreaking but regular part of life: illness.
Legendary Australian radio and TV star Amanda Keller recently came out with a courageous revelation in her Double A Chattery podcast—her husband, Harley Oliver, has been silently battling a life-changing illness for six years.
Keller, who has been married to Oliver since 1989, revealed that his condition had been initially mistaken for a sporting injury, especially when she noticed her husband’s unsteady gait and tremor in his hands.
But it was not a sporting injury, as he was later diagnosed with Parkinson's—an incurable brain disorder that causes involuntary movements, and diminishing balance and coordination.
Like many couples, the pair have had to face challenges head-on. While Keller was candid about the difficulties she has faced while watching her husband struggle, she said that it has brought them closer together over time.
'I miss the ease of life. Of going to a restaurant, [but then] Harley’s back gets sore, and he’s quietly spoken, so the noise overwhelms him. I miss the ease of travel. It changes us,' the 61-year-old TV personality said.
'But we’re not alone in that. Life is this stuff, isn’t it? We talk a lot about long-term relationships and how popular culture celebrates the beginning and the end. But the meat of life, the joy of life, the sadness of life, the true human condition, lies in the middle,' Amanda shared.
The WSFM co-host also let slip the reason why, as a 'self-confessed over-sharer', she had kept the news private.
'It’s hard when people ask, “What’s going on with Harley?”,' she said. 'People are shocked at the changes, and I can’t make that better for anybody. I still don’t know what to say…It’s not a surprise to me, but I still don’t know what to say.'
But it hasn't been all sadness and struggles for the couple. Keller says that after the initial shock wore off, they paused all their plans and bought a holiday house on the New South Wales South Coast to spend more quality time as a family.
The mother-of-two has also devoted herself to exploring what the 'middle of life' truly brings to a relationship instead of simply celebrating its beginning and end.
At the end of the podcast, Keller and her husband can be heard exchanging sweet words of reassurance and devotion—words which many can easily relate to, especially considering the importance of a strong connection with a loved one.
'I love you, Harley,' Keller said.
An emotional Oliver followed suit, 'I love you too. You’re terrific with all of this.'
He added, 'Somebody early on said the one thing that’ll keep you out of a rest home is the relationship you have with your partner, and it’s so true. I’m very grateful that we have that strength.’
Our thoughts go out to Amanda and Harley at this time and to all of the members here at the SDC who may also be going through tough times due to ill-fated circumstances.
For anyone who wants to know more about Parkinson’s disease, please consider visiting Parkinson’s Australia’s website here.
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Legendary Australian radio and TV star Amanda Keller recently came out with a courageous revelation in her Double A Chattery podcast—her husband, Harley Oliver, has been silently battling a life-changing illness for six years.
Keller, who has been married to Oliver since 1989, revealed that his condition had been initially mistaken for a sporting injury, especially when she noticed her husband’s unsteady gait and tremor in his hands.
But it was not a sporting injury, as he was later diagnosed with Parkinson's—an incurable brain disorder that causes involuntary movements, and diminishing balance and coordination.
Amanda Keller shared her husband’s Parkinson's diagnosis in her podcast. Credit: @amandarosekeller/Instagram
Like many couples, the pair have had to face challenges head-on. While Keller was candid about the difficulties she has faced while watching her husband struggle, she said that it has brought them closer together over time.
'I miss the ease of life. Of going to a restaurant, [but then] Harley’s back gets sore, and he’s quietly spoken, so the noise overwhelms him. I miss the ease of travel. It changes us,' the 61-year-old TV personality said.
'But we’re not alone in that. Life is this stuff, isn’t it? We talk a lot about long-term relationships and how popular culture celebrates the beginning and the end. But the meat of life, the joy of life, the sadness of life, the true human condition, lies in the middle,' Amanda shared.
The WSFM co-host also let slip the reason why, as a 'self-confessed over-sharer', she had kept the news private.
'It’s hard when people ask, “What’s going on with Harley?”,' she said. 'People are shocked at the changes, and I can’t make that better for anybody. I still don’t know what to say…It’s not a surprise to me, but I still don’t know what to say.'
But it hasn't been all sadness and struggles for the couple. Keller says that after the initial shock wore off, they paused all their plans and bought a holiday house on the New South Wales South Coast to spend more quality time as a family.
The mother-of-two has also devoted herself to exploring what the 'middle of life' truly brings to a relationship instead of simply celebrating its beginning and end.
At the end of the podcast, Keller and her husband can be heard exchanging sweet words of reassurance and devotion—words which many can easily relate to, especially considering the importance of a strong connection with a loved one.
'I love you, Harley,' Keller said.
An emotional Oliver followed suit, 'I love you too. You’re terrific with all of this.'
He added, 'Somebody early on said the one thing that’ll keep you out of a rest home is the relationship you have with your partner, and it’s so true. I’m very grateful that we have that strength.’
Our thoughts go out to Amanda and Harley at this time and to all of the members here at the SDC who may also be going through tough times due to ill-fated circumstances.
For anyone who wants to know more about Parkinson’s disease, please consider visiting Parkinson’s Australia’s website here.
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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