Living my dream despite the tremors

[gomelgo]

I have been dreaming of having the freedom of being on the road, untethered and untimed, with the roads and vistas opening out in front of me. With no timeline, and no one to impose on me whatever "should" they might have for themselves. This has been my dream ever since I drove across the country with a guy I dated for some years. It's been more than 15 years in the making, and it's finally here. And now I can document it on Youtube! So, if anyone is interested in checking out my trip so far, please take a look through my channel here.

youtube.com/@unparked

So far, I only mention my PD every so often. It's been 11 days so far, and I have travelled the east coast from NY down to West Palm Beach FL, where I will be checking in to Hippocrates Wellness. Any and all feedback welcomed. Hope you enjoy. So far, I have made it to Savannah in my minimal build van. I don't plan on showing my face, or getting any sponsors. Just hoping to inspire folks, and to make this dream happen before I can no longer do so.

[Bfp69]

that is wonderful! have fun! inssiring indeed

[JayPwP]

Go, Mel, Go...

Enjoy the travel... Good luck and all the best 🙏

BTW, You have a beautiful voice...

[gomelgo in reply to JayPwP]

Aw shucks, thank you.

[Bolt_Upright]

Go Mel Go! I am subscriber #25!

[CuriousMe12]

Good on you Mel.

[gomelgo]

I have been adding videos almost every day. Mostly because I have been spending very little time in each place so I could get to Hippocrates by the 22nd. The last 3 are my favorites; a festival of lights I happened upon at a cmpground near Chaleston SC, and a gorgeous beach and pier campground just next to an airport in Myrtle Beach SC.

[1267az3 in reply to gomelgo]

Wonderful! Have a safe journey! I wish you much peace and good!

[pdpatient]

Congratulations on your endeavor. I hope you succeed completely. I am quite jealous of you BTW, traveling like you are now doing 😊😂

How do you manage to drive if your tremors show up unexpectedly whilst driving? How do you cope with emergencies? These are topics that you can offer perspectives on for the rest of us. I have subscribed.

[gomelgo in reply to pdpatient]

That kind of thing is exactly why I started the channel. I will be covering all the challenges and triumphs. Glad you are following. And thank you for your encouragement and concern. 🙏🏻🚐😱🛣️🩵

[MBAnderson]

I'm jealous.

[JayPwP in reply to MBAnderson]

I am JayPwP 😜😜😜

[Esperanto]

gomelgo embrace the joy of your journey to the fullest! It's that sense of freedom that truly alleviates stress. I just returned from a ☀️road trip with my dog, covering over 5,000 kilometers in my micro van. The PD symptoms of seem to fade away like snow in the sun! So, to my fellow colleagues, go for it whenever you can!

Ultimate freedom!

[gomelgo in reply to Esperanto]

Hope to meet you out there on the road. Maybe we can start a parkie road club. We can call it UNPARKED like my channel.

[DogsWoode in reply to Esperanto]

How is it that the pd symptoms faded away? How do you account for that lovely happenstance?

[gomelgo in reply to DogsWoode]

Mine got a little worse actually. But there is a difference between doing this as a vacation, and switching into a van to live. I currently have no other physical house.

[DogsWoode in reply to gomelgo]

Okay understood. Quite a stress then in many ways. Once you get the hang of everything perhaps that will dissipate some. A life changing decision for You! Looking forward to your posts.

[Esperanto in reply to DogsWoode]

It's not entirely coincidental. A similar trip last year with my wife by caravan to the sun yielded the same result. During that vacation, I found that I no longer needed my C/L medication 💊. Remarkably, as I was the driver for the trip leaders. The medication-free period lasted for more than a year and continued during this trip.

BUT... right upon returning home, the severe cold caused issues. Additionally, I had an unsatisfactory conversation with the court regarding an unjust accusation related to my former job. After the meeting I was extremely ill and, for the first time in two years, in the OFF mode. This was easily resolved with a day of C/L.

It confirms my suspicion that negative stress and cold are detrimental to me, regardless of all the lifestyle improvements I have made. It also shows that PD has not disappeared, but that you can manage your symptoms.

[Grumpy77 in reply to Esperanto]

So sad we've not had proper back to back like 30⁰ C summer-hot sun days here in UK and Ireland for 2 years now. Summer 2023, the jetstream was the culprit. It cooked Europe while UK and Ireland was soggy, cold and wet. While this just gone 2024 summer, the culprit was the evil arrow from the Arctic. Last blood test I had, I was severely depleted of vitamin D. Its just making me grumpier by the day 😠

[gomelgo in reply to Esperanto]

Cold and stress are the root of symptom increases for me as well. Especially unjust behaviors leading to rumination ... so challenging. But I am intent on learning to let things slide off my back.

[DogsWoode in reply to gomelgo]

Yes!!!! Excellent intention.

[DogsWoode in reply to Esperanto]

Some say it might be the dopamine hit from the happy travel experience. And perhaps the distraction too? Hmm. Interesting. And wonderful for you to have found your bliss. (Crap about the stupid job situation and hope that is resolved to your satisfaction.)

[IdaOphelia in reply to DogsWoode]

When I go out to Denver (from Maryland) to visit my daughter, I feel so much better out there - lighter, happier - I always wonder if it is the elevation/air pressure. Also, my husband and I have traveled for 2 months in the southwest in our tricked our Xterra. And another 3-week trip around lake Superior. It was all wonderful, but a bit stressful returning to our 'resort home' in Maryland. I have often thought that I was actually producing more dopamine during our travels with new scenery and adventures every few days.

[gomelgo in reply to IdaOphelia]

I definitely think that is the case. And where is your "resort home in Maryland"? I have been looking at condos in the Ocean City area, but thinking it's a PD dessert.

[IdaOphelia in reply to gomelgo]

gomelgo - we have a farm house and 4 acres in Ellicott City, outside of Baltimore. We have wonderful health facilities nearby. Never been to Ocean City - never really had any desire to. Good luck in your search.

[DogsWoode in reply to IdaOphelia]

That is SO interesting.....maybe it can be replicated at home by new/different activities....move away from the norm. I was thinking schedule important to managing PD symptoms but maybe that is COUNTERINTUITIVE. Hmm. And a sense of freedom and choice. Thanks all you great kids for your thoughts. Warm regards to all.

[AlejandroSenes]

Hello, we also do occasional motorhome trips in southern Europe, best regards instagram.com/seferintrip?i...

[Chastar]

This is wonderful and v inspiring. Thanks for sharing. You’ve answered the question posed by Mary Oliver in her poem A Summer Day: ‘what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ‘ !

[DogsWoode in reply to Chastar]

My favorite poet...and what a verse! ❤

[134A]

you go Girl!!

[gomelgo]

that is one of my 3 top poems!

[SAGoodman]

So happy for you, enjoy every moment and i can't wait to watch! 👏👏

[Kingsdaughter1]

You go girl! See as much as you can and make new memories while you are still able to do so!

[gomelgo in reply to Kingsdaughter1]

Exactly why the minimal build.

[Psalmody]

hi well done !! I’m following you From Australia !

[pearlette]

Keep pushing the boundaries of uncertainty

[cceelen]

Wonderful!