By Alva Solomon

SOMETIME last year, popular actor/comedian Henry Rodney started to feel weak, and his ability to perform basic tasks around the house slowed considerably. As time progressed, he realised that he could not stand on his feet for long periods, even during his performances on stage.Rodney, who gained fame through his onscreen moniker “Franklyn”, from the popular 1990s local sitcom “Agree to Disagree”, sought medical treatment, and one doctor informed him that he is “suspected” to have Parkinson’s disease. “We ain’t know as yet,” he said, when asked what was the doctor’s diagnosis.

Rodney told this publication on Monday that he is determined to find out what is the nature of his ailment. Nothing that all his mental faculties are in working order, he said a CT scan was performed on him on Father’s Day, and the results are expected sometime this week. When those results are in, he said, his next aim is to seek treatment overseas.

Rodney said he has visited several doctors, and initially he was being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) for the ailment. “And they couldn’t say what it was,” he explained.

He said he described his condition to a doctor and she informed that he may be suffering from Parkinson’s disease. This disease, according to online definitions, is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, mainly affecting the motor system. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related; these include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty with walking and gait.

Rodney said he has sought the opinion of another doctor, and according to him, the Cuban medical surgeon examined his medical chart and treated him for two months.

He said he then visited two additional doctors, including Dr Doobay, who informed that he may not be suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

“As time goes by, I am getting weaker, and I started to slow down in movement consistently,” he said in his popular exclamatory tones. He said he remains worryingly unsure what is causing his degenerative condition, but while it is affecting his physicality, he still finds strength in what he is best known for — the arts.

Despite his ailment, he performed at the Theatre Guild Playhouse during the Golden Jubilee celebrations last month. “And last Thursday night I sat and performed at a queh-queh,” he noted.
Managing a chuckle, he said that only his voice was required for his performance on Thursday evening at the queh-queh.

Rodney‘s friends have been by his side over the years. They have come to his aid and have already begun raising funds to assist in the treatment he may require overseas.

His onstage friend Linden “Jumbie” Jones has been appealing for assistance for Rodney on his television programmes, while Desiree Edghill of Artistes in Direct Support is handling all information and requests on Rodney’s behalf.

Rodney came to prominence as “Franklyn” on the popular “Agree to Disagree” 7pm sitcom of the 1990s. He has graced the National Cultural Centre stage on countless occasions, performing in many roles at shows such as Mori J’son Comedy Jam, to the delight of the audiences on hand.

Rodney has also performed on the international stage alongside seasoned Caribbean performers. One of his most noted performances came on the big screen when he appeared alongside more than 300 actors in the Bollywood movie “Guiana 1838”, a love story based on the history of Guyana, starring Indian film actor Kumar Gaurav.

Persons who may wish to assist Rodney can contact Ms Desiree Edghill on telephone number 225-5112, or mobile number 624-8030 for more information.