Someone posted a wonderful poem about having others understand them. i am unable to find it....can anyone help?

[mccshe]

[gazelleuk]

Community blogRemain my Friend (slightly tweeked by me )

Posted by gazelleuk 26 Feb 201215 comments LETTER FOR MY FRIENDS (author unknown)

I have Parkinson's disease. It is not contagious or hereditary. No one knows what causes it, but some of the dopamine cells in the brain begin to die at an accelerated rate. Everyone slowly loses some dopamine cells as the grow older. If the cells suddenly begin to die at a faster rate, Parkinson's disease develops. It is a slowly progressive disease usually occurring as people get older. Medicine can help. I'll take newer, stronger kinds over the years. Some make me sick and take lots of adjustments. Stick with me. I have good days and bad days.

Emotions: Sometimes I cry and appear to be upset and you think you have done something to hurt my feelings. Probably not. It is the Parkinson's Keep talking to me. Ignore the tears. I'll be ok in a few minutes.

Tremors: You are expecting me to shake. Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Medicine today takes care of the tremors. If my hands, feet, or head are shaky, ignore it. I'll sit on my hands or put them in my pockets. Treat me as you always have. What's a little shakiness between friends.

My face: You think you don't entertain me anymore because I'm not grinning or laughing. If I appear to stare at you, or have a wooden expression, that's the Parkinson's I hear you. I have the same intelligence, it just isn't easy to show facial expressions. If swallowing, I may drool. This bothers me, so I will mop it up.

Stiffness: We are ready to go somewhere and I get up. I can hardly move. Maybe my medicine is wearing off. The stiffness or rigidity is part of Parkinson's Let me take my time, keep talking.

Exercise: I need to walk each day. Two to three miles is good. Walk with me. Company makes walking fun. It may be a slow walk, but I'll get there. Remind me if I slump or stoop. I don't always know I'm doing this. My stretching, bending, exercises must be done everyday. Help me with them if you can.

My voice: As my deeper tones disappear, you'll notice my voice is getting higher and wispy. That's the Parkinson's I

know you can talk louder, faster and finish my sentences for me. I don't care for that. Let me talk, get my thoughts together and speak for myself. I'm still there. My mind's okay. Since I'm slower in movement, my thoughts are slower too. I want to be part of the conversation. Let me speak.

Sleeplessness: I may complain that I can't sleep. If I wander around in them middle of the night, that's Parkinson's It has nothing to do with what I ate or how early I went to bed. I may nap during the day. Let me sleep when I can. I can't always control when I'm tired or feel like sleeping. Be patient, my friends. I need you. I'm the same person, I've just slowed down. It's not easy to talk about Parkinson's, but I'll try if you really want to know. I need my friends. I want to continue to be part of life. Invite me even though I may not be able to go , its lonely on your own. Please remain my friend.

Thankyou to those who have remained my friend and still invite me out and to those who took advantage by pretending to be my friend, you are forgiven .

However to those who no longer want my friendship you have lost your integrity in this lifetime and i'm glad your no longer in my life.

[mccshe]

Dear Gazelleuk,

Thankyou for these amazing words! I needed a way to explain myself to coworkers and friends. This helps tremendously!

God bless!

[tlongmire]

I changed the last line of the last paragraph because it reflects who I am as a person. As my sister says to me "you tend to see the world through rose colored glasses or the glass as half full". I do try to see the good things in life in spite of (or to spite) Parkinson's.

Thank you to those who have remained my friend and still invite me out and to those who took advantage by pretending to be my friend, you are forgiven. However to those who no longer want my friendship that’s too bad, because you’ve lost a good friend. I still wish you the very best now and always.

[mccshe in reply to tlongmire]

Here's to rose colored glasses and spiting Parkinson's !!!

I like your changes!

[tlongmire in reply to mccshe]

Thanks. Have a great day.

[tonton15]

The National Parkinson's Disease Foundation has some nice FREE Publications - one called Caring and Coping and it has "the letter" in it - I have to agree it is well written

[blackcat]

i keep a copy of this on my refridgeator so i read parts of it everytiime i open the door and i see people who are in my home stop and read it. i also keep it on the mirror in my bedroom. that helps me, won't speak for anyone else

[mccshe]

I don't know why , but I shared it on facebook. I did recieve many positive comments! I was surprised to know how supportive people can be!

It really helped me too, understanding that there are others who feel as I do. Best wishes to you!

[tlongmire in reply to mccshe]

How did you share this on Facebook?

[gazelleuk in reply to tlongmire]

copy cut and paste onto the facebook web site- place it on your page , if you need help just shout