PD as a disABILITY helping us grow and mature

[Coot18]

Most of us are born with a body and a mind that is relatively healthy. At some point, our body and/or our mind is attacked by a disease that interferes with our ability to do some things we had gotten used to doing relatively easily. We attempt to defeat this attacker with the help of medicine and medical practitioners and with the help of pills and practices.

As we age we have to accept the reality that if we try to do something we have always done it is going to take longer and its going to hurt more, but we have to keep trying to do it. I still put my underwear on standing up. It is a good back and leg stretch and a balance exercise. I stand next to the bed in case I tip over.

PD is simply a term the medical community uses to describe one of the many versions of aging. What if a given disease movement actually accomplishes their stated goal, "We will defeat (this disease) in our lifetime"? Does that mean we will have achieved eternal life? Or will this disease simply get replaced by a different version of old age? I am for committing resources to helping patients and families deal with the disease. I have trouble with implications of the word the word "defeat". We are on a journey with a finite length, let's enjoy it

What I think we need is an evolution in medicine. Instead of focusing on the disease, medicine should focus on the person. Disease is another opportunity for growth. Not an opportunity for despair. A disease may compromise an aspect of our lives that we had gotten used to.

A disease provides opportunities we may not have otherwise noticed. Most blind people find their hearing improves. People with PD get better at living for the moment and letting things happen instead of trying to make them happen.

I believe in using pills and practices if they help me take advantage of the PD opportunity.

I used to try and pursue happiness, now I slow down and let happiness catch up to me.

Remember, with aging comes maturity, thanks to our disABILITY.

Some view the journey of life as beginning at birth, growing to mid-life prime and then deteriorating towards death.

I prefer to grow right up until death when I will then be at my prime.

A simple test to determine if you have achieved your purpose in life.

If you are alive, you haven't!

Love > hate

[Hikoi]

Early stage PD. Lucky you.

[Coot18 in reply to Hikoi]

I hope I still feel as lucky as the years go by.

[Coot18 in reply to Hikoi]

I was diagnosed 9 years ago

I hope that is considered early stage

[Gioc]

Love>PD

[justhavefun2]

I love your picture and the smiles! Great looking couple!

I was just telling my husband that I would be much happier if I would focus more on what I CAN do, which is still quite a lot, instead of what I can’t do.

I have come to the conclusion that everyone seems to suffer with something...RA, PD, depression, anxiety, abuse, loss, cancer, etc. it’s how we approach our affliction(s) that helps us weather them. Yes, I, too, am in the early stages...so I can’t speak for those who have been enduring PD for years. My prayers are for all to be able to cope until a cure is found.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I found them encouraging.

[lempa_nik]

Good food for thought, well written and inspiring. I will remember to "slow down and let happiness catch up to me"!

[jeffmayer]

Absolutely

[Jebbie12]

I agree that I have gained gratitude for the simple joys in life from having this disease. I realized several years ago I could live with joy or not with Parkinson’s but I’m still gonna have Parkinson’s. I choose joy any day. As the saying goes life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain. I’ve learned to dance in the rain.

[Hidden]

What a wonderful outlook on life. THanks for sharing.

[ddmagee1]

Very refreshing outlook. There are so many different stages and symptoms of Parkinson's, that, I believe, each of us could tell a different story. Some are blessed with medicines being able to help them, for a long time, and others, not so much. In my case, the disease affects my autonomic system, so I may look ok, but feel terrible inside, at times, dealing with the difficulties. Sinemet helps me with tremors, and with stiffness, but does not help, seemingly, with the autonomic symptoms I have.

[Erniediaz1018]

Great!!! Thanks for sharing. Beautiful pic

[ktbate]

Your thoughts are well received. After 8 years I still need to adjust my attitude at times. Curious --- how many years ago were you diagnosed?

[Coot18 in reply to ktbate]

9 years

[PDGal4]

Thanks for sharing your inspiring thoughts. I too have been working on gratitude and focus on happiness coming from within. I tend to clip quotes for inspiration. My latest: “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.”

By extension: “If you choose not to find joy in your life despite Parkinson’s, you will have less joy but still have Parkinson’s.”

It's hard work, but if I cede joy to Parkinson's, it's won another round.

[Coot18]

I love all the weather metaphors

Just like a storm

PD is there no matter what we do

Viktor Frankl survived the Nazi death camps

As long as he was alive

No one could determine for him

That he could not smile

[AmyLindy]

Beautiful!

[Hidden]

I liked that, very well put!!!