In the field of psychoneuroimmunology (aka body/mind healing) the importance of the frame is paramount. Meaning that how one frames an event or an experience in one's life can actively and dynamically impact how that person heals from it. This is not just a psychological perspective although that is my field of expertise. The impact of attitude and perspective on healing has been talked about, written about, preached about by doctors and psychologists alike - Bernie Segal MD, Depak Chopra, Andrew Weil just to name a few. The body is basically plastic. This does not mean that one can necessairily heal oneself from say Parkinson's by attitude alone or at all...this is just saying that relating to it as a gift or just having a little curiosity as to what might be learned from this significant change in how one sees oneself and relates to ones life, can open one up to growing in the experience and possibly healing in different ways. This is well known and well practised in the cancer communities such as the Wellness Center in my area. I guess then choosing to see something as physically devastating as Parkinsons as a gift might keep one from seeing oneself as a victim, as part of a group of vicims that have been for some reason struck with this ailment....and choosing instead to see oneself as a recipient of an albeit unasked for and to this point incomprehesible gift and proceeding to explore that gift and its lessons with as open a heart and mind as is possible. Energetically, speaking body/mind medicine again, that keeps the immune system up and healthy and avoids the pitfall of depression and despair which actually contributes more to morbidity in disease processes at times than the disease itself. The system just gives up and caves in on its own healing power. No intention to trivialize or minimize...no polyanna stuff or denial...just a different perspective on the impact of attitude on healing and what the Pope might be talking about....