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For What It Is Worth: When I told my adult children (then 25 and 22) they both took it very hard. I was in sad shape, but my daughter (25) became a basket case about it. In fact within a year she had planned to take over my life in order to help me. My son on the other hand simply asked what he could do to help and I said that we would need to learn that as we go. He reads the Care list mail and on an occasion adds his comments. He loves the pd list with all the humor and help that is here. As for younger children: I have 6 grandchildren, 3 (today) up to 10, and 5 of them live with me most of the time. Each has asked me about different things that are happening and I tell them that I have Parkinson's Disease. I tell them that I cannot walk as fast, nor play the same with them and sometimes my hand(s) and leg(s) shake. They have seemed to understand as much as each one needs to. Last year when the youngest boy was 3 he really liked to sit on my right leg when my tremor was in force. It was the best horsey ride he could find. Sometimes when I am watching a movie or baseball game or whatever and the youngest is with me, she will put her hand over my shaking one and try to hold it down. It is a very gentle gesture on her part. The young children seem to understand what it is necessary for them to understand. They know that I need medication. They remind me at pill time and count my pills to make sure I am taking the right amount. They wish I did not have this, they wish I could play with them with the same energy I had just a few years ago. But, they understand that is not going to happen now and they do their best to help me whenever they can. don't forget how to laugh (and do it often) Marling McReynolds 49/3 [log in to unmask] http://members.tripod.com/~marling