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----- Original Message ----- From: "Nina P. Brown" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 1:20 AM Subject: Re: Question from a "lurker" I AM 82 82 years young had pd for 41 years this is best answer i ever read on have PD THANK YOU DON MCMINLEY ([log in to unmask]) > Sorry Inez, this went into my junk mail and I just saw it. I am 65. > nina > > On Jan 30, 2007, at 6:17 PM, Inez Ramos wrote: > >> I am a 49 year old who has had PD from the age of 16. diagnosed at the >> age >> of 22 in 1980. I would like to know how old is Nina which wrote: >> >> 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn