Hi MaryAnn,
    My name is Paula and I had been dx in '92 and have had successful DBS.
I can tell you zillions of stories about "Paula the Faker".  I can be having
great difficulty walking, but I can zoom up stairs.  It probably takes me
alot longer to cross the short expanse of landing than it does to walk up
the entire flight.  I was waiting in a long line one summer for a local
Beach Boys concert.  It was really difficult standing still .  People would
be gracious and send me ahead in the line even with all my protesting.  Then
they stood with their mouths open as I took the stairs rapidly.  When I got
to the top, I called for my husband's help knowing I was gonna pitch
forward.  He caught me and I could read their minds, "FAKER!"  They probably
thought I was taking advantage of my husband.  My husband sometimes notices
these things more than I do because I need to concentrate on where I'm
going.
  So there are a few good things about having friends with handicaps.
Sometimes  some of our friends say I wonder if we'll get to the front of the
line any faster because of Paula.  I smile with them feeling their teasing
and love, but they know deep down I'd rather be standing on my own at the
end of the line.
Best wishes to you and your hubby.
Paula
P.S. I freeze if I have to go through a narrow path like in a crowd or
turnstyle.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary Ann Ryan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 10:27 AM
Subject: This is weird


> My husband, Jamie, has had a difficult time walking since his bypass
surgery more than a year ago.  We finally gave in to the fact that he would
need a power wheelchair, so we got one.  There are two steps leading up to
the main part of our house - our new power wheelchair obviously required a
ramp, so we got that too.
>
> Unfortunately, we have a *great deal of difficulty* getting the power
wheelchair up the ramp which means one of two things - I have to wheel my
220+ pound husband up the ramp in a manual wheelchair or he has to walk up
the ramp.  After getting having some difficulty wheeling him up a couple of
times, I suggested that he walk while I follow behind him with the manual
wheelchair.  At first he had some difficulty, but then he navigated up and
down the ramp like a trouper.
>
> Suddenly, I noticed that my husband has been able to walk even when his
Sinemet doesn't work - something that hasn't happened for over a year.  In
fact, his balance has improved significantly and he is walking quite well
indeed.  The only thing that I can think of that has changed is the fact
that he has had to navigate the ramp.  I think it has improved his balance.
Incidentally, he is able to walk up and down the ramp without holding on to
anything.  I find this whole scenario quite weird.  Thought I would share
it.
> -----------
> God bless
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Mary Ann (CG Jamie 64/24)
>

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