Parkinson's Disease A Strange Gift

[park_bear]

Jennifer Sullivan, aka Parkinson's Wiggles Project, speaks:

youtu.be/WLgbClUb4UM(Not working as expected?)

It has been so for me also. Don't get me wrong - I have my share of struggles and if I could snap my fingers and be done with it I would surely do so.

[reedboat2]

I spent 40 years in the outdoor recreation industry. I was a professional sea kayaker, hiker, river guide. I lived for my outdoor trips. That changed in 2017 when I was diagnosed with PD. In 2020, my wife and I took up the study of A Course in Miracles (ACIM). I don’t think that would’ve been possible pre-PD. Now when folks ask how I’m doing I say “I’m doing well, surfing a different type of wave”.

[LindaP50 in reply to reedboat2]

Love that line "I’m doing well, surfing a different type of wave”. Positive and upbeat.

[LindaP50]

We face our challenges and figure out how to live with intent, live well with what we have, changing our focus. The gift for myself and HWP is we now have a deeper, more mature love.

[SAGoodman]

park-bear, like you I would give this desease up in a second, but have had some positive life changing thinigs happen in my life that wouldn't have happened with its absense. I never had a bucket list before my diagnosis, but after the initial shock of it all started one!

Spending "real" quality time with my children when we are together, seeing family and friends as much as I can, going to concerts of bands I have always wanted to see.....you get the idea I'm sure.

Although depression is always knocking at my door, I try to remain positive as much as possible, which diet and exercise also help me with it (and at the top of my list is our HU PD group!!)

Thanks so much for sharing, as I always enjoy something positive out of our negative disease!

[CuriousMe12]

Park I too have gained some positive, alternative life style changes and experiences. But it's only been possible by being lucky enough to have a source of income and supportive family.

[1LittleWillow]

PD has taken me on an emotional, psychological, and spiritual journey. I have been learning things about myself and my life that I am certain I never would have learned otherwise, and I'm grateful for that to a level I can't even express. I've always been an "I can handle anything, bring it on!" kind of person. In fact, for the most part, I have carried my whole family along on my back, so to speak, meeting everyone's needs all the time. PD has forced me to slow down, to let others figure out their own problems (which is generally better for them), and to become brutally introspective for the first time in my life. It's been painful, but I wouldn't trade the spiritual things I've learned and the "new" me for anything. It's the weirdest experience I could ever imagine because if I could get rid of the PD but lose all the things I've learned/am learning, I wouldn't do it. I want to get rid of my Parkinson's more than I've ever wanted anything else, but at the same time, I'm eternally grateful for the path it has taken me down.

[park_bear in reply to 1LittleWillow]

Well said, 1LittleWillow, and same here.

[1LittleWillow in reply to park_bear]

I'm a very art-and-music-oriented person. This song always comes to mind when I think about the process I've been going through.

youtube.com/watch?v=X0C3DHp...(Not working as expected?)

[LindaP50 in reply to 1LittleWillow]

Lovely.

[1LittleWillow]

Thank you for sharing that video!

[Missy0202]

Thank you for posting this PB . Jennifer is always a ray of light. I am in a small woman's group with her and always leave feeling better. I highly recommend following her YouTube channel

[park_bear in reply to Missy0202]

Yes, that really comes through in her videos. Nice that you get to have personal contact.

[Gymsack]

She is a beautiful person , a beautiful soul

As I have been known to say sometimes: Happiness is a frame of mind, you can be happy if you have a mind to.

I am

thanks PB

your smarter than the average bear, may God bless