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What a GREAT message. You have expressed my feelings more clearly than anything I have read (or written) Thank You. Barb >>From: [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask]) >> >>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! >> >> >> >> >>---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>mailto:[log in to unmask] >>In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >mailto:[log in to unmask] >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn _________________________________________________________________ http://local.live.com/?mkt=en-ca/?v=2&cid=A6D6BDB4586E357F!420 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn