Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Music, Celebrity, Health, TV and Film
Emily Brown
Sharon Osbourne has opened up about how her life changed after her husband Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy announced in January 2020 his diagnosis with the brain disorder, which can cause unintentional movements such as shaking, as well as stiffness and difficulty with coordination.
Symptoms of the disorder can worsen over time, and more than two years on from Ozzy's diagnosis Sharon discussed her husband's experiences during a conversation with Jeremy Paxman for his ITV documentary Paxman: Putting Up With Parkinson's.
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Paxman himself was diagnosed with the disease 18 months ago, and as he spoke with Sharon he questioned whether it was worse to be the one with the disorder, or the other half caring for them.
Sharon dismissed the notion that it was harder to do the caring, saying: "I just think of my husband, and like you, who was very energetic, loved to go out for walks, did a two-hour show on stage every night, running around like a crazy man. Suddenly, your life just stops - life as you knew it."
The TV personality went on to say her heart 'breaks' when she looks at Ozzy, saying: "I'm sad for myself to see him that way, but what he goes through is worse. When I look at him and he doesn't know, I'm like crying."
Though Ozzy's diagnosis has completely changed her life, Sharon has been able to find a positive in the fact the family 'spend much more time together' now.
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She added: "I love my husband more than I [did] three years ago."
In an effort to ease his symptoms, which include unsettling dreams, Ozzy uses cannabidiol, known as CBD. Sharon implied the use of substances is nothing new to the musician, saying he was 'always on something' and 'loved to dabble with the old drugs', but explained that he now uses cannabidiol at night.
Referring to the journey to the UK from her home in the US, she added: "I'll bring some over for you, you'll love it. I'll bring it back for you, Jeremy. I'll probably get arrested coming through customs — but that's nothing new."
As well as the mental effects of Parkinson's, Ozzy has previously also discussed the physical effects which include blood clots and nerve pain.
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Parkinson's disease affects one in 500 people, with approximately 127,000 people in the UK currently living with the condition.