Hi,
I thought it was about time I introduced myself instead of just staying in the lurker pond.
I am 69, from Sydney in Australia, and have been diagnosed for 5 years. Still fairly mobile ', and although I get very stiff and have to be careful when I am walking, for the most part I am pain free. Any time I start to feel sorry for myself, this community quickly puts my problems in perspective. It is nice to know I am not alone. I have written a poem (oh no, not another one I hear you say ) which I thought some of you might identify with. Not meant to be a work of art, just my inner thoughts when the beast starts to creep up on me.
A Parkies Poem
It is in the wee small hours of the morning
that the nagging doubts appear
in the darkest hours before the dawning
when I try to face my deepest fear
Those restless times when I toss and turn
and can't find sleep no matter what
when my strength seems to be at its lowest ebb
wondering what the hell is this thing I've got
Those thoughts that I keep to myself alone
should I just give in and to hell with it all
will my loved ones still be there
when I stumble and fall
Will I have the strength to endure,
how will I end up, why did it pick me
and I try to make sense of it all
asking for answers where none seem to be
I can keep busy during the day
Telling myself these dark thoughts should not exist
and I do my best to push them away
knowing that no matter what, I must persist
During the daylight hours I battle through
Telling my fears that I am strong enough
Doing everything that I can do
But wondering inside if it's all a bluff
It is a Parkies Battle that we fight every day
to try and keep these demons at bay
and as the sun comes up and a new day dawns
I know I'll try, come what may.
Bryan McAlister
Lots of love to all,
Bryan