Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disease of neurodegenerative origin that most commonly occurs with people over the age of 60. The disease occurs when the brain is deficient in dopamine, of which the key importance is the care of memory, movement and other important functions. Most common symptoms of the disease are tremor, rigidy, bradykinesia, position control problems and incomplete movement patterns. All this makes it difficult or impossible for a person to perform daily activities and consequently reduces the quality of life. Purpose: We determined how people experience Parkinson's disease, how they accept it, deal with it and in which activities it hinders the most. We were also interested in what supports and hinders people the most during their illness and whether they are included in occupational therapy treatment. Methods of work: A qualitative study was conducted in which data were collected through in-depth interviews with five people with Parkinson’s disease. Interviews were audio-recorded with the permission of the participants, and transcripts of the recordings were analyzed by qualitative analysis. Results: Parkinson's disease significantly changed the lives of the participants in the research, as it significantly affects the implementation of daily activities or the quality of their lives. For most, it has left consequences in all areas of human activity, both in self-care, the implementation of broader daily activities and in activities of work and leisure, and also affects their integration into society. They deal with the disease by taking it optimistically, getting used to living with it and adapting their activities to their abilities. Family and friends are very helpful in dealing with the disease, and the biggest obstacles are the symptoms of the disease and mobility impairment. Discussion and conclusion: Due to constant progression and change, a person adapts and copes with it throughout his life. It may require the person to resort to the use of devices, adjustments, or even to abandon overly demanding activities. Overcoming the disease also brings with it many obstacles, which the vast majority of people with Parkinson's disease overcome with the help of family, friends, co-workers and medical staff. From the initial stage of diagnosis and in the subsequent stages of the disease, the work of an occupational therapist is also important. Due to the poor recognition of the profession, more activities should be devoted to its promotion.
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