Teresa Oliver wrote:
>
> Hi everyone!  My name is Teresa and I am thirty-two years old and
> have PD.  I am a new list member.  I've had Parkinson's for
> thirteen years, and on January 30, 1996, I had a pallidotomy (which
> was very successful).  My brother has also been diagnosed with PD,
> and even though I am younger, my disease is much more advanced.
>
> I will be very honest with you; the first several years of this
> disease almost killed me.  I had no idea what was wrong with me. I
> had developed severe tremors, rigidity and balance problems and as
> things got worst - freezing.  I couldn't hold down a job, in fact I
> completely stopped going out in public, I became very irritable,
> and my family was not being supportive.  I sank into depression.
> In a period of 4 years, I tried to kill myself 5 times.
>
> It was during a time of deep dispair that I turned to God and
> accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior.  My life has not been the
> same since.  I stopped focusing on my resentment and started
> focusing on Jesus.  I asked Him to help me understand who He is.
> I bought a Bible and read it over and over, until His words became
> my song. As I trusted in Christ for my day to day survival, things
> started happening:  I found a neurologist who eventually made the
> right diagnosis and started me on Sinemet.  I was able to start
> walking again without the aide of a walker.  I attended college for
> two years and after a job became available at my uncle's company, I
> decided to leave college and join the ranks of working
> professionals.   Soon thereafter, I was able to move out from my
> parents house into my own apartment.  I met a wonderful man at work
> who I married a year later.  He's been very supportive of me, as my
> Parkinson's continues to progress.  But, the most beautiful thing
> over everything else is how Christ filled my heart with love.   And
> though this disease continues to plague me, I know that my redeemer
> loves me and will never leave me, that when this life is over, I
> will certainly be with Him and there will be no more suffering.  A
> lot of people go through this life with relative ease and good
> health yet they continue to reject Jesus and His promise of
> salvation - to me that would be a curse!
>
> "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
> with the glory that will be revealed in us."  Romans 8:18


Dear Theresa,
        AMEN!  I was diagnosed with PD 10 years after I accepted Christ
 as my Lord and Savior.  I felt from the first day I learned about my PD
that God had a reason for allowing this in my life at age 51, just when
I was looking forward to being a Grandma par excelance.  However, His
plan was for me to slow down and become a prayer warrior for my family
and church.  THat's not to say that I don't have bad days, because I
surely do and there are times I'd give my right arm to be well again,but
through it all I know I am closer to God than I have ever been because
He is the only one who really can experience my pain and frustration and
give me joy in return.
        I am so happy for you that you not only found Christ, but a
loving husband as well.  I have been married for 35 years to a wonderful
man who loves God and cares for me so beautifully.  He and our 5
children are my greatest blessing.
        God bless you.

Marty Rose
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