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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