 |
 |
One of the best therapies is talking to PWP who are in your own age bracket and with similar circumstances. Although we all suffer from the same disease the needs of the young onset sufferer are very different from the elder ones amongst us. My children were 7, 10 and 12 when I was diagnosed at 37. I am now 46 and they have grown up knowing that I have some limitations and that my mood swings are not (always) caused by them !! They have always mixed with PWP and have seen the good, bad and the indifferent and totally take it all in their stride. Because of our YAPP&Rs network in the UK, I can usually match up a newly diagnosed young person with someone of a similar age, so contact is made quickly. Our problem in the UK is to encourage the younger ones (20-30's) to come forward and join in. How do other countries 'recruit' the younger PWP? Suggestions welcome please! regards Emma >I am trying to locate families where there is a parent with young onset >Parkinson's disease and young children (under the age of 10). > >My husband is 50 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 3 years >ago. We have four children ages 21, 20, 4 and 1. We consider the two older >children to be adults and they have been fully able to understand and share >in the discussions about my husband. So far, our 1 year old is too young to >be too aware of the situation. However, our 4 year old daughter has had a >very difficult time dealing with my husband's illness. She doesn't >understand why it is her daddy who had to get this, why her daddy can't carry >her like he used to, why her daddy is so tired. She also firmly believes >that all the other boys in her daycare will get Parkinson's when they become >daddies. > > It would be very helpful to our family to be able to communicate with young >families who are coping with Parkinson's. It would be particularly great to >meet families near our area (Princeton, NJ). My 4 year old would benefit >greatly by meeting other children who have a father or mother with >Parkinson's disease. > >Sincerely, Janice Wherry > >