To all those on the PD list, hello. My name is Kevin Lacey. I'm 39 years old
and was diagnosed almost 7 years ago to this day. I've been a lurker on
this list for over 1 1/2 years. I?ve always been hesitant about coming out
of my ?parkinsonian? closet, wondering if what I had to say would be of
any worth? This past weekend my ?Bud? printed out the list from Friday
on the news of Alan Bonander?s death and brought it to me to read. I
didn?t know Alan, but reading his daily input on our list, I felt as if I did. He
dispensed a treasure trove of information and advice that kept all of our
hopes and spirits alive. My dearest sympathy to his family. He will surely
be missed by us all.
Well, I finally have a story to tell you all. For me, it is one of thanks and
courage, but even more than those; a story of true love. It was a typical
morning for me as I struggled to download one of the archived weeks of
info. that helped me in my daily survival with this most frustrating
disease. It was February (The month/date are irrelevant except to "us") I
was leafing through the pages I had downloaded and I came across her
intro. (I'll use her middle name in respect of her privacy) Antonia
introduced herself and asked if any other PD'ers her age would like to
talk to her. I kept the info. thinking I'd drop her a line. A week later, I did.
After several witty weeks of e-mailing and answering question, after
queation, after question........a love was born! We fell in love way before
we ever even saw what the other looked like. Looks became irrelevant,
because we had already bonded emotionally! So, when we did meet it
was just the most wonderful experience in my entire life!! It was icing (or
whpped cream to us) on the cake! I'm SO LUCKY and HAPPY to have
met such a beautiful and special "lady"! I have had the fortune of
experiencing a love and total understanding that I could've never
dreamed immaginable. We became the best of friends and a love affair
blossomed. I once promised her that I?d ALWAYS be her BUD, and she
in turn replied, ?Yes, we?ll always be BUDS.? She always referred to
herself as being shy. Yet, I was overcome at how SO MUCH strength
and courage came out of her petite 5'-3" body! I can express it with the
following analogy. Remember how proud we all were when we
watched Ali in the throws of tremoring light the Olympic torch! That?s
how I felt being around Antonia! I once asked her if there were 3 things
in life she could change, what would they be? You know what her first
response was? "I wouldn't wish I didn't have PD, because then I
would've never met you, Bud." Amazing! Well, Antonia, here in front of
our whole group of peers............." I consider myself lucky to have PD
too! For, without it, I would not have met you either, nor experienced
what true love was all about! Thanks for touching my soul and carving a
place in my heart where I'll forever hold our memories of "us" together! "
I will always be a lucky PD'er for having my life touched by Antonia.
Ironic, as I read of Alan?s death I could only think of why Antonia and I
were meeting. We met this past weekend to end our love affair. It had to
end due to many reasons only Antonia and I can understand. So, today I
mourn the loss of our love affair, but know in my heart I gained a soul
mate and ?Bud? for life........I guess I thought I'd relate this to everyone
because, everyday I read of the pain and suffering PD brings to people
on this list............I wanted to show, somtimes, it brings JOY and
LOVE......yes, somtimes "good does come out of bad"...........count your
blessings today.....I am!!! THANKS, Antonia.........your Bud.........always!
(Sorry if I took up so much space)
Antonia once told me a motto. I?d like to repeat it here and use it in
memory of ?the many relationships? that she and I had. My neurologist
who first diagnosed my PD said when I asked if one ultimately dies from
PD, ?No, Parkinson?s cannot kill you.? I didn?t know what to say to him
after all he hada just dumped in my lap, but I do now!
?That what does noy kill us, can only make us stronger? <nag>
Always...........................................M. Kevin Lacey, 39/7
