[Harumanbo Harucheonja] Professor Hansangjin Saves Wife with Rare Disease through Walking

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Hansangjin (78), Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Seoul National University (Chairman of the Jungmin Foundation), and his wife Shim Younghee (76), Professor Emeritus of Law at Hanyang University. These two distinguished scholars, who have spent their lives researching sociology together, gaining insight into societal issues and proposing solutions, faced a difficult time four years ago when Professor Shim was diagnosed with a rare disease called 'functional movement disorder.' They each endured the hardships of caregiving and battling the illness. With no clear cause or treatment for the disease, the entire family devoted themselves to Professor Shim’s recovery and rehabilitation. Unable to expect much medical help, they began taking daily walks around their neighborhood, step by step, which eventually allowed her to stand up again.

When we met Professor Han last month at the Jungmin Foundation office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, he emphasized to Asia Economy readers, "Even as you get older, you must keep exercising constantly. Walking is the foundation and core of all health, so you must never neglect it."

Overcoming a Disease with Unknown Cause and Treatment through Walking

Since 2019, Professor Shim began experiencing involuntary tremors in some muscles, independent of her will. As the symptoms worsened and interfered with daily life, she sought a precise diagnosis by visiting several university hospitals. Initially suspected of having Parkinson’s disease, she underwent tests such as brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but the results showed no abnormalities.

After multiple examinations, the diagnosis was functional (psychogenic) movement disorder. This disease causes abnormal, involuntary muscle movements or tremors, causing pain. The medical community suspects it results from problems in the way nerve signals are transmitted from the brain. Although the exact cause remains unknown, it is believed to be related to stress. Before the onset of this disease, Professor Shim often worked late into the night due to excessive workload.

Professor Han and his family sought renowned doctors for treatment but were met with the despairing answer that no effective treatment existed. Only medications such as antidepressants or tranquilizers were prescribed to provide psychological stability, rest, and comfortable sleep.

As symptoms worsened, Professor Shim became unable to move even a single step. Her trembling muscles drenched her clothes in sweat even when still, and she suffered sleepless nights. To alleviate her symptoms, Professor Han chose walking as a therapy, reasoning that staying still would stiffen her muscles and worsen her condition.

It was extremely difficult for her to leave the house with her ailing body. At first, her husband, son, and caregiver took turns supporting her as she took a few steps, but gradually she was able to walk more, extending her distance to the apartment complex and nearby walking trails. As she regained the ability to walk on her own and felt her body becoming more comfortable day by day, Professor Shim gained confidence that she could recover.

Professor Han said, "Although it has not yet been proven that such rehabilitation training is effective for patients with this disease, we became convinced of the benefits of walking through personal experience. I believe the muscles and nerves that were damaged and tangled gradually loosened and created a virtuous cycle during walking."

Last spring, Professor Sangjin Han and Professor Younghee Shim, a married couple, were taking a walk in a park near their home. (Photo by Professor Sangjin Han)

The Power of Walking Remembered by the Body... Rapid Recovery from Crisis

After about two years, changes occurred in his wife’s body. Movements that were awkward due to paralysis became much more natural, and spasms decreased. After walking exercises, Professor Han would wash his wife’s feet and apply lotion every night. Walking and talking together daily strengthened their marital bond. Those around them marveled at how Professor Han’s love and devotion, their children’s devoted caregiving, and Professor Shim’s strong will to fight the disease overcame the difficult crisis and achieved a miracle.

In his younger days, Professor Han had already realized the importance of walking exercise. In the early 2000s, while serving as the director of the Korea Institute of Mental Culture, he suffered from a heavy workload that reduced his exercise, causing rapid weight gain and shortness of breath with minimal movement. From the moment he sensed a health problem, he managed his condition through walking and dietary therapy. He testifies that the walking habit he developed then has helped maintain his health to this day.

When Professor Shim’s health began to improve, Professor Han also faced a health crisis after abnormal findings in a health checkup led to a biopsy and blood transfusion. Similarly, he regained his health over the past year through consistent walking exercise. Professor Han said, "Although invisible, I think the strength accumulated from walking and exercising daily for over 20 years helped me recover faster."

The couple continues walking even in the dead of winter. They walk more than 10,000 steps daily on walking paths within their apartment complex in Seocho-gu, Seoul, as well as nearby Sinbanpo Park, Picheondeuk-gil, and the Banpo Sports Complex track. They avoid dangerous courses or excessive exercise, walking at a relatively brisk pace on flat walking paths.

Professor Han emphasized, "The rule is to keep exercising constantly even as you age. Avoid risky exercises but do the exercise your body needs, and that is walking." He added, "I have often experienced endorphins being released while walking, and old memories or interesting thoughts that were in my mind but not deeply considered suddenly come to mind. I think this is because blood and nerve circulation improve, affecting the brain."

Professor Hansangjin has handwritten notes every day for the past three years about his wife's battle with illness, her symptoms, the effects of exercise, conversations they shared, and their emotions at the time. (Photo by Professor Hansangjin)

Meticulously Recording the Difficult Battle with Illness by Hand

Perhaps because he has lived as a scholar all his life, Professor Han recorded every day in a notebook with a pen the course of his wife’s illness, various symptoms, rehabilitation effects, conversations they shared, and all emotions at the time without missing a single day. Although he did not write with a special purpose, these records later helped Professor Shim recall the pain and despair she experienced. In June, the couple co-authored a book titled "My Muscles Tremble Wildly, but It’s a Disease of the Mind!" This book, which deals with the rare topic of battling a rare disease, has been offered a translation for publication in the United States.

Professor Han advises that writing and organizing necessary materials and information like this is also effective for brain health. He said, "Writing with a pen or drawing with a brush stimulates the hand and brain to move together continuously. If you do this effort every day, wouldn’t it prevent brain aging and dementia?"

Editor's Note Asia Economy is conducting the '2023 Nationwide Brain Health Project' with the '10,000 Steps and 1,000 Characters a Day' campaign. This campaign encourages walking 10,000 steps and writing 1,000 characters daily to maintain a sharp brain in a healthy centenarian era. To support this, the '10,000 Steps and 1,000 Characters a Day Newsletter' provides subscribers with recommended walking courses and writing content. The '10,000 Steps and 1,000 Characters a Day' campaign is the most cost-effective and wise exercise to protect yourself and your family.