When I was diagnosed twenty one years ago my neurologist said with  
all the research being done and the new drugs, that if I had to have  
a neurological disease, Parkinson’s was the one to have.  Am I lucky  
or what?  I’ve bought raffle tickets, played bingo, entered all kinds  
of contests and have never won anything; but for some unknown reason  
my ticket to join the Parkinson Parade was picked.  And it changed my  
life!
For some reason, when I am asked “How Parkinson’s has affected my  
life, I seem to have a problem coming up with a quick answer.  I  
tried to figure out why that should be such a hard question for  
someone who has lived with Parkinson’s and worked for the Parkinson’s  
community for 21 years.
Over the years my symptoms have multiplied and worsened.  Because  
there is not a day that goes by that allows me to forget I have  
Parkinson’s, I often reflect on a story that makes me smile and  
reminds me of the difference in being a pessimist or an optimist.
A young boy, placed in a room filled full with toys, sat in the  
middle of the room without touching one of them.  There were so many  
he couldn’t decide which to play with.  A second little boy was  
placed in a room full of horse manure.  He dove in and tossed it one  
way, then another.  After about an hour, as he was dragged from the  
room, he was heard crying, “Wait…with all that horse manure, there  
must be a pony in there somewhere!”  My way of living with a body  
that reminds me every three hours to take medications is to keep  
looking for the pony.
Because Parkinson’s is usually described as “progressive,”  
“debilitating” and “incurable” I know the problems I face today will  
seem inconsequential tomorrow, but I refuse to feel “debilitated.”  I  
prefer not to dwell upon the negatives that make my life difficult,  
but rather upon the positives that make my life full.
   ·    While taking medication every two hours may force me to live  
by the clock, I’m grateful I live in a time when there are  
medications available.  Without the chemical camouflage from the  
cocktail of medications I take, I wouldn’t be able to walk at all.
·    Although my symptoms first forced me to give up tennis and  
skiing and then later, give up my walker for a scooter when the  
medications don’t work, I am, nonetheless grateful to have the mobility.
·    Although I hate seeing a photo or video of myself with my body  
contorted or moving abnormally, at least it opens an opportunity to  
educate someone about Parkinson’s.
·    Although I’m afraid I’ll lose my balance and fall when I lean  
over for a hug, I love that someone wants to give me a hug.
  I could go on, but you get the idea.  I guess you could say that  
Parkinson’s has brought facets to my life that I never could have  
foreseen– while it has done a lot to me, it’s done a lot for me.   
There is no doubt that Parkinson’s has changed my life.  It would be  
foolish of me to say I’m lucky that I have an incurable, progressive,  
degenerative disease, but…
·Without Parkinson’s, I wouldn’t write HAPS monthly newsletter for  
2300, which has given me a personal way to reach out and touch  
thousands and in return, so many have reached back and touched me.
Without Parkinson’s, I would have missed the opportunity of meeting  
some of the most courageous, inspiring, amazing people I know.
Without Parkinson’s, I would never have had the PASSION or  
opportunity to fight for and represent the Parkinson community with  
legislators in Austin and Washington, or help co-found two  
organizations involved with medical research that give the hope of  
removing the word “incurable” from the description of Parkinson’s.
And with Parkinson’s, the love and devotion that Joe, my husband of  
forty-four years, and I have shared has become even greater because  
of our commitment to fight the fight and work toward that common goal.
Life is similar to a game of cards.  We have no control over the hand  
dealt us.  However, we do have control over the way we play the  
hand.  There's no point in blaming the dealer for a bad hand.  The  
trick is to play it out with all the skill and determination we  
possess.  I’m not smart enough to find a cure for this disease, but I  
am determined to do my best to make it possible for some researcher  
somewhere to find a cure.
In short, I decided that if I have to ride in the Parade, I’d prefer  
to do it on a pony!



On Jan 8, 2007, at 10:26 AM, Dick Beaumont wrote:

> You said "Parkinson's Disease Is a Curse and a Blessing by Kate  
> Kelsall"
> in your message that was posted on January 06, 2007 and presented on
> this list by rayilynlee (sorry, I don't know your last name) on Sat
> 06/01/2007.
>
> I mentioned that I am a "lurker" since I do not normally respond to  
> any
> messages, I just read them. My knowledge of this disease has been
> attained by internet research and this list. I was diagnosed as having
> PD in February of 2005, just about two years ago. Fortunately, my  
> PD is
> slowly progressing and my depression seems to be corrected. I live in
> Keswick Ontario and work as a technical writer in Richmond Hill. At 67
> years young, married to a wonderful woman (Helene) and employed doing
> the work I love, I did not know what my sentence meant to me and my
> future (and still not sure).
>
> Question - What is the URL (address) of your Blog. I was moved by your
> observations and wish to read more.
>
> Dick Beaumont
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to:  
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn


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