Jen Harkness’s story is one of faith and persistence. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014. This devastating truth meant that she had just five productive years left to spend living her best life. Instead of giving in to hopelessness, Harkness decided to honor her situation and experience life to the fullest in those years she had left. That decision did turn her enthusiasm toward scuba diving, something she’d always been interested in. It turned into a potent emblem of her pledge to live life to its fullest, even in the dark times.
Harkness’s financial journey started long before her diagnosis. In 2000, she was 27 and only working part time. While pregnant with her second daughter, she took the courageous step of starting to put away 5 percent of her salary toward superannuation. During a long career, she produced hundreds of important pieces. To compensate, she raised her superannuation rate to 10 percent, and her employer automatically raised it in kind, supercharging her retirement savings.
Harkness’s path was not always straightforward. She experienced periods of both financial stability and struggle, particularly after her marriage ended in 2010 following 23 years together. As part of their divorce settlement, she had to go to battle for the family home. Ultimately, she was able to buy out her husband, and having that control made her feel more secure.
Even through these challenges, Harkness didn’t stop focusing on her financial well-being. She had planned to retire by 60. Her plan was to take a partial lump sum out of her superannuation and pay off her house. These dreams inspired her to push through dark days. They were particularly critical as she faced the burdens of being a single mother, single handedly caring for and providing for her family.
When her Parkinson’s diagnosis came from her doctors in 2014, Harkness was determined to not let the disease run her life. She faced numerous challenges head-on. She had a unilateral mastectomy to address early-stage breast cancer that developed when she was 52. After the surgery, she had a very difficult year of recovery because of complications. Through this challenging time, Harkness did her best to prioritize her health and finances. Her employer lived their values by providing her accommodations, enabling her to adjust her work environment while she underwent procedures. This commitment to employee well-being helped turn her luck around.
Apart from remote work, Harkness wanted to find other streams of income. She would Uber drive between medical procedures to maintain her cash flow. This served as a testament to her amazing versatility and creativity in approaching ever-morphing scenarios. This flexibility was a game changer for Joslyn’s financial well-being. It has continued to help her stay connected to the community while she navigates her recovery.
Today, over a dozen years after her original Parkinson’s diagnosis, Harkness is living life as successfully as anyone with this chronic condition. Her proactive stance on both her health and finances have given her the ability to face life’s unknowns with boldness, rather than fear. She has proven that even in the face of significant health challenges, it is possible to thrive financially and maintain a fulfilling lifestyle.
Harkness’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that the future is about planning, but it’s about being in the garden now. Her story closely mirrors that of many who experience these challenges. It reminds you how resilience can lead to new paths, new possibilities and new versions of yourself.
