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I have witnessed these symptoms in Dorothy (my mother-in-law). Her writing is so small it is almost unreadable, she only wrotes now to sign checks. It took a long time before she would actually askfor help. So far she hasn't hadany problems or been treated badly. But she has the tremors very visibly to show. It takes a lot to admit you need help. there isn't anything wrong with typing up a shopping list or directions, I do it myself and there isn't any problem with my writing. Dorothy recently got a Word processor to help her out. I really wish that she had a real computer so she cold hook onto the net and meet you wonderful and supportive people. :) Laurie [log in to unmask] >I have to agree with Ernie.....I find the lack of handwriting a major >frustration. It seems daft to type shopping lists on the computer and take >down travel directions on a memo recorder. I have little to no tremor to >"declare" to the world I have PD and I hate the strange looks when I say I >can't write. They look at you as if you are an illiterate idiot! That is >one thing I am not! > >Happy typing everyone! > > Emma > >>Jacob... >> >>It seem to me we're each indiviudally bothered by so many different PD >>symptoms, that whatever is the worst per individual IS the worst indignity >>THAT person suffers from the disease. IF micrographia (tiny handwriting) IS >>the worst PD symtom that Ernie suffers (and lucky HIM if it IS....) then why >>belittle his feelings about it? He WANTS to be "normal," and to be able to do >>one of the simplest tasks that a "normal " adult person does.... to handwrite. >> >>This is a matter of "pride," and perhaps denial, and controlling our own >>life..(and maybe ignorance about PD, too). It IS embarassingly frustrating to >>have to ask others to handwrite for us. And it IS embarassing to be forced to >>admit not only to yourself but to a roomful of strangers that ya need that >>help because your have Parkinson's (or any disease) and that you've reached a >>stage where you can't do eveyrthing for yourself, and must humble yourself to >>ask strangers in a public place for assistance in accomplishing such a simple >>act. It's embarassing AND dehumanizing. It is embarassing to feel >>"different" than everyone else in that room. >> >>We each adjust to, and eventaully accept that we have this terrible disease >>only when IT forces us to, and not before. How many of us have bargained with >>God or whatever we believe or don't believe in (gee.... is that politically >>correct enough?) <grin>, saying something like, "Well, THIS I can live with, >>even tho I can't button a shirt ay longer or tie my shoes (or handwrite)... >>but PLEASE just don't let it get any WORSE?" >> >>IF not being able to write IS the worst thing about having PD that Ernie has >>had to adjust to then whom amongst this group of individuals hasn't faced some >>other PD symptom and said, "I have stood it all, but THIS I can't stand?" And >>who are ANY of US to consider that personal loss a "trivial" matter? And whom >>of us has not grieved for the loss of a "normal" function due to PD? >> >>NOTHING about Parkinson's is "trivial" for anyone who has it, I believe. >> >>Barb Mallut, >>[log in to unmask] >> >> >>---------- >>From: PARKINSN: Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network on behalf >>of Jacob Drollinger >>Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 1996 10:21 AM >>To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN >>Subject: Re: Does anyone else have these symptoms >> >>Dear Ernie, >> >>I don't want to sound rude or anything, but your letter seems to be quite >>trivial. I would give my eye teeth to swing a golf club without falling over, >>much less make good contact. I write quite well, a little slow, but large and >>clear, but I would give that up in a heartbeat to be functioning as well as >>you are. Take heart, Ernie, help is not too far around the corner. >> >>Jacob >> >> > >