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Hi All, I agree it's probably preferable to be diagnosed late in life... It is also better to be diagnosed now than say 60 years ago like my great aunt - age 40 - institutionalized age 41 or 42 - no meds - rigid and unable to feed herself or bathe or go to the loo for years - few visitors - no hope and passed away at age 53...... Me? First symptoms at age 38 - priveleged to have a choice of good doctors and a choice of meds - priveleged to have some say in my personal treatment for PD - priveleged to still be working at age 56 and still walk and still drive - priveleged to have this medium to garner information and support - priveleged to join in the fund raising to race for the PD cure - priveleged to be mobile enough to meet some of you in 3D - priveleged to be mobile enough to play with my grandchildren could be worse? yes... in the meantime... give your head a shake and get a grip... it is up to each of us to manage our quality of life, however diminished, in the best way we can... as Janet says "i can choose to see the cup as half empty and worry about what i don't have or i can choose to see the cup as half full and enjoy what i have it's still the same cup but my outlook is not" we can choose unbreakable "cups" or join Greg and choose the fine crystal....... They make pretty good plastic wine glasses now - something my great aunt never got to see..... It could be much, much worse... count on it! Best regards... 8-) eyes wide open 8-) ........... murray On 24 Jul 2000, at 0:14, Dave Bergford wrote: > Greg > > You are right when you say there is no "good" age to be stricken with PD. I > was diagnosed when I was 58, and I agree that it is better than had it > happened at age 35. It is still tough to deal with. Also, I agree that > there is nothing positive about PD. There are worse things that can happen > to us, but that doesn't make PD in any way good. > > You have much more experience in dealing with PD than I have, and it is > really difficult to know how I will feel after a few more years have gone > by. At this point, I believe that I need to try to make the best of the > situation, regardless of how difficult. PD certainly causes us to > reevaluate our priorities. Some things considered "important" prior to PD > are much less significant now. Some things I had pushed aside (religious > and spiritual matters) have taken on greater importance in my life. I > consider this to be positive, but it still is not a positive thing to say > about PD. It is instead a positive aspect of how I have reacted to my > situation. I think it is a path I would have taken anyway, but the PD > diagnosis hurried things along. > > Also, I am not resigned to coping with PD for the remainder of my life. In > this regard, there is much to hope and pray for. > > Dave Bergford > 59/58/55? > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Greg Sterling" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2000 10:55 PM > Subject: Re: Could be worse (Count on it) > > > > There are so many variables in each individual case of a PWP that it is > hard to relate to another's specific set of circumstances. From my > perspective age is probably the most significant. I'm certain that there is > no "good" age to be stricken with PD, or any chronic illness, but given the > choice I'd pick later rather than sooner. For all you PWP's in your "golden > years" try to turn back the clock and imagine how being diagnosed at age > 35, being unemployed at 45, would have effected your life and your family. > I'm not complaining or whining. It's just the reality of the situation. > > > > I'm really beginning to wonder if the "non-fatal" aspect of this disease > is a cruel hoax. I really feel I've been dead for years and just don't know > it. The only difference being no one gets to collect my life insurance. > Don't be concerned. I am not ready to cash in my chips, but it sure would > be nice to win a hand once in a while. > > > > Juanita is right when she says "things could be worse". They could also > be better. When it's you that rationale is no comfort. There's more to > life than just waking up every morning. Existence is not living. > > > > I know the clichés like, "life's what you make it"; "if life gives you > lemons, make lemonade"; "is the glass half empty or half full?" > > > > I never was any good at making things, I hate lemonade, and every glass I > pick up I seem to break, so now what? > > > > Greg > > 47/35/35 [log in to unmask]