Teresa Oliver wrote: > > Hi everyone! My name is Teresa and I am thirty-two years old and > have PD. I am a new list member. I've had Parkinson's for > thirteen years, and on January 30, 1996, I had a pallidotomy (which > was very successful). My brother has also been diagnosed with PD, > and even though I am younger, my disease is much more advanced. > > I will be very honest with you; the first several years of this > disease almost killed me. I had no idea what was wrong with me. I > had developed severe tremors, rigidity and balance problems and as > things got worst - freezing. I couldn't hold down a job, in fact I > completely stopped going out in public, I became very irritable, > and my family was not being supportive. I sank into depression. > In a period of 4 years, I tried to kill myself 5 times. > > It was during a time of deep dispair that I turned to God and > accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. My life has not been the > same since. I stopped focusing on my resentment and started > focusing on Jesus. I asked Him to help me understand who He is. > I bought a Bible and read it over and over, until His words became > my song. As I trusted in Christ for my day to day survival, things > started happening: I found a neurologist who eventually made the > right diagnosis and started me on Sinemet. I was able to start > walking again without the aide of a walker. I attended college for > two years and after a job became available at my uncle's company, I > decided to leave college and join the ranks of working > professionals. Soon thereafter, I was able to move out from my > parents house into my own apartment. I met a wonderful man at work > who I married a year later. He's been very supportive of me, as my > Parkinson's continues to progress. But, the most beautiful thing > over everything else is how Christ filled my heart with love. And > though this disease continues to plague me, I know that my redeemer > loves me and will never leave me, that when this life is over, I > will certainly be with Him and there will be no more suffering. A > lot of people go through this life with relative ease and good > health yet they continue to reject Jesus and His promise of > salvation - to me that would be a curse! > > "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing > with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18 Dear Theresa, AMEN! I was diagnosed with PD 10 years after I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I felt from the first day I learned about my PD that God had a reason for allowing this in my life at age 51, just when I was looking forward to being a Grandma par excelance. However, His plan was for me to slow down and become a prayer warrior for my family and church. THat's not to say that I don't have bad days, because I surely do and there are times I'd give my right arm to be well again,but through it all I know I am closer to God than I have ever been because He is the only one who really can experience my pain and frustration and give me joy in return. I am so happy for you that you not only found Christ, but a loving husband as well. I have been married for 35 years to a wonderful man who loves God and cares for me so beautifully. He and our 5 children are my greatest blessing. God bless you. Marty Rose [log in to unmask]