TV personality Amanda Keller has posted a poignant tribute to her husband after celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary last week.
In October 2023, Keller revealed her husband Harvey Oliver had Parkinson’s disease.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Amanda Keller reveals husband’s health battle.
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She had kept the news secret for six years, but the couple had decided to open up about the diagnosis, which at first left them both “completely numb”.
Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that causes shaking, stiffness, balance and co-ordination problems.
Presently, there is no cure.
In her recent Instagram post, Keller shared a throwback black and white picture of the couple smiling for the camera.
“Occasionally a photo pops up in your memories just when you need to see it,” the photo was captioned.
“Harley and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary last week.
“This pic must have been taken just a few years later.
“Harley’s Parkinson’s disease has sent a variety of challenges that he accepts with stoicism and grace (more so than I do).
“But the essence of ‘him’ and ‘us’ remains.
“It’s the stuff we all face as we age and grow and morph, If we’re lucky.”
Keller’s followers loved the photo and flocked to the comments section to send their support.
“In essence, a few life times together already, how wonderful ♥️♥️LOVE,” wrote Jimmy Barnes’ wife Jane.
“Beautiful people,” added celebrity cook Julie Goodwin.
“That’s amore,” added Sunrise weather presenter Sam Mac.
“Such a great shot,” wrote Dream Home host Chris Brown.
“The essence of you two.”
In October 2023 Keller said Harley’s Parkinson’s diagnosis had left the pair in shock.
“I first noticed Harley’s footfall around the house changing, like he was dragging his leg, and his hands started to shake, and he said he’d just been whacked in the thumbs as a wicket keeper playing cricket,” Keller said at the time.
“But I felt something was going on.
“When (Harley) came home (after receiving the diagnosis), we both just sat there completely numb.
“Two days later I went with our eldest son Liam to an open day.
“He was in Year 11 and I fought tears all day just looking at these (young) people at the beginning of their journey, and I was so envious.
“I had such a flashback to when that was me.
“And I thought, ‘their journey is just starting,’ and something closed off for me.
“I don’t necessarily feel that now, but this is how I felt in the early days.”
Keller went on to say that her husband’s diagnosis had made her a kinder person, but also a “sadder” one.
She admitted she was sometimes frustrated by their situation, knowing there was nothing she could do to change or control it.
“All the things that it does, I thought, ‘Why isn’t he fighting it?’,” she said.
“And of course, I’ve come to see he can’t control this, and neither can I, and that’s been a big lesson for me.”
The mother-of-two went on to explain why they had kept the diagnosis quiet for so long.
“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.
“It’s not a surprise to me, but I still don’t know what to say.”
Several of Keller’s followers shared their own stories of people they knew who were living with Parkinson’s.
“My Mum & Dad faced this same dilemma,” one follower wrote.
“But the love & history they had with each other got them through.
“It totally sucks! But their beautiful memories that so validates everything about who they are together as a whole is all that matters!
“Sending you lots of love.”
“Such a gorgeous photo! My father battled Parkinson’s for a very long time,” wrote another.
“Stay strong and love and best wishes to you both.”
