Some time ago the thought popped into my head that having Parkinson's is a bit like having a new job, - learniing a new way of life, different ways of doing things. I wrote a long rambling piece on that theme, which I later converted to a poem:-
MY NEW JOB
I have a new job; I’m now a P.W.P,
I didn’t apply for it, never sent a CV.
No interview took place, no job offer letter,
Not much information to help me do better.
No training was given to guide me along,
So it wasn’t surprising if some things went wrong.
It appears that the boss is a medical man,
Twice a year he advises, I do the best I can.
I didn’t want this job, didn’t know what to do,
But I picked up the routine, try to help others too
Retirement time came, but no break from this work
No holidays or bonuses, not one little perk
I thought jobs for life were a thing of the past.
But, apparently this one, a lifetime will last
But the boys in the background, are studying hard
And some kind of respite may be on the cards
Those brilliant brains will continue to strive
For an answer in ten years, or even in five.
We hope against hope that the end is in sight
And People With Parkinson’s will win the fight!