Here are some thoughts adapted inspired by Dr. Bernie Siegel's book, Love, Medicine and Miracles adapted for the Parkinson patient. Don Berns THE PARKINSONS CHALLENGE "Becoming an ExPap" (Exceptional Parkinson's Patient) Some Thoughts/Suggestions/Ideas compiled by Dr. Don Berns(not medical doctor) -13 plus yr. member of the Park Club I.Advantages A.Eat all you want without gaining weight B.The best parking spots are always available after obtaining handicapped parking placard C.Lots of time to think, pray, reflect D.Learn flexibility, patience, discipline, empathy E.Lower blood pressure F.Incidence of cancer is lower II.Attitudes A.Take Control of your life in all areas where possible. B.Be a victor not a victim. Realize you are a special person called to meet a special challenge. Learning to meet challenges can help every other area of our life to go better. C.Positive Attitude D.Opportunity to try new things E.Do what you can when you can. What you can't do save for another time. F.Avoid whenever possible time pressures/deadlines G.Take control for your own treatment. Plan your therapy. H.Educate yourself. Become an expert in Parkinsons. I.Educate your friends/family. They need your help in coping. J.Communicate with Care-giver K.Allow yourself one minute a day to feel sorry for yourself. No More! L.Sense of Humor--laughter releases healing endorphins ATTITUDE by Charles Swindoll "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. . . we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. . . I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you---we are in charge of our attitudes." III.Communication Devices A.Remote control speaker telephone with operator headset available through Pacific Telephone's T.D.D. program. For info call 1-800-422-4418 B.Use tape recorders, computers, intercoms C.Radio Shack power house system for controlling house lights and appliances from remote locations e.g. from bedside. D.Doctors 1.Find the most knowledgeable doctor re Parkinsons in your area. 2.Invite him/her to team up with you. 3.Ask questions. Lots of them 4.Take responsibility for your treatment. 5.Remember you are paying the doctor to work for you. Work hard to develop a good working relationship with this most important employee. IV.Education A.Ignorance/denial only works for a short while B.Once you have Parkinson's you might as well find out how to make the best of it C.It is important to educate others close to you (perhaps more important) as well as yourself. People are largely uninformed or worse yet, misinformed about Parkinsons. When sharing for the first time with a friend you may find it helpful to ask, "What do you know about Parkinsons Disease?" D.Some resources 1. U.P.F. newsletter from the United Parkinson Foundation 360 W. Superior St. Chicago, IL 60610 312-664-2344 2. Parkinsons Bulletin Board for computer users 805-934-4950 Computer.Settings 8,N,1 2400 baud 3.PEP (Parkinsons Education Program) Exchange 3900 Birch St. #105 Newport Beach, CA 92660 4.Young Parkinsons Support Network 1041 Foxwood Drive Santa Maria, CA 93455 5.California Parkinson's Foundation 2444 Moorpark Ave. Suite 316 San Jose, CA 95128 408-998-2722 6.Guides to better management of Parkinson's disease PROPATH P.O. Box 123 East Brunswick, N.J. 08816 V.Exercise A.Choose sports/activities that are possible - not frustrating B.Exercise daily both brain and body VI.Medications A.Pill holder B.Pill timers (Radio Shack- comb. countdown timer/holder) C.When traveling carry double supplies of meds in different locations D.Ask care giver to carry extra meds when going out. E.Extra meds at office F.Small portable water bottles you can carry with you to take pills on schedule in case there is no handy access to water G.Constant fine tuning process 1.Keep charts 2.Note what works & what does not 3.Be broad in your analysis noting such things as food, sleep, stress, empty/full stomach, combination off meds 4.Delay (start up time) rate and decay (lasting time) rate H.Understand possible side effects 1.Fillers in meds increase flatulence (farts) 2.Some cause mental confusion 3.As much as possible distinguish between med side effects and Parkinsons I.Eat a cracker before first dose in morning to get gastric juices going speed up absorption of sinemet in small intestine. J.Sinemet C.R. 1.Work faster broken in half first 2.May be combined w/ reg. Sinemet for helping start-up VII.Practical Aids/Tips A.To reduce the annoyance of drooling The Yellow Chamois $10 + sales tax, +$1 ship/handling Continental Exhibitors P.O.Box 2017 Walnut Creek, CA 91788-2017 B.Do not bleach white underwear if taking Sinemet. The bleach reacts with urine traces and permanently discolors. C.Consider Medic Alert ID which will provide basic medical information to an attending physician in case of an accident. For info phone 1-800-ID-ALERT VIII.Some Suggestions A.Anticipate needs during the day and prepare for them during times of maximum mobility. B.Learn to do things in terms of priorities so that the most important or necessities get done first. C.Maximize rest times through use of audio/video tapes, special radio or TV programs 1.Portable TV/VCR in bedroom 2.Walkman with preset station buttons D.Try new things that you have never done before. Learn/read about new topics/subjects so that you have a sense of achievement/accomplishment. E.Sleep 1.Satin sheets, lightweight thermal covers, electric blankets 2.Satin slippery pajamas 3.Convenient nightstand to hold meds, glass of water, other necessities 4.Communication devices by bedside-- bells, intercom, Radio Shack Power system switches IX.Social A.Push yourself to maintain social contacts. B.Resist the temptation to become a social recluse C.Anticipate questions such as "How are you?" Think about appropriate answers. X.Support Groups A.People with whom you can share concerns, helps according to age and stage of Parkinsons B.Discover the joy in sharing from your own experience in ways that help others