“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” Jim Valvano
“You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough. It takes just one star to pierce a universe of darkness. Never give up.” Richelle E. Goodrich
World Parkinson’s Disease Day is April 11: Parkinson’s Disease Awareness month is the month of April. We commemorate World Parkinson’s Disease Day on the birthdate of Dr. Parkinson. James Parkinson was born on April 11, 1755, and died on December 21, 1824.
Following the lead of one of my favorite Physical Therapists, Claire McLean, hopefully, you will participate in the “Stand up to Parkinson’s Challenge.” A Global Movement to Slow the Progression of Parkinson’s Through Exercise by completing as many sit-to-stands as you can throughout the day and logging them to see if we can reach 2,000,000 collectively with others all over the world:
https://www.standuptoparkinsons.com
Introduction: What is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s is a motor system disorder that results from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Parkinson’s has 4 main symptoms: rigidity (stiffness of the limbs and trunk); bradykinesia (slowness of movement); postural instability (impaired balance and coordination); and tremor (trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face). Other symptoms may include depression, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, urinary problems or constipation, and sleep disruptions. Parkinson’s usually affects people over the age of 60. There are ~1.5 million people in the USA living with Parkinson’s. The symptoms of Parkinson’s occur gradually over several years, which sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose.
How do you describe the typical rate of progression? Parkinson’s is not like sticking your hand into a hornet’s nest and the resultant instantaneous stings; it’s more like being covered in beach sand at low tide while you patiently wait for the slowly approaching ocean’s high tide.
How do you feel living with Parkinson’s? Living with Parkinson’s is like trying to see while having only one of your contact lenses in your eyes or trying to walk wearing shoes with one broken heel; both are manageable, but they each present obstacles to overcome. But everyone has a unique Parkinson’s with the expression of a multitude of different symptoms, and it progresses at its own pace.
Hopefully, I will write another blog soon about Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher
The Past Few Weeks: Several have written and asked about my whereabouts in the past 6-8 weeks because I have only posted 3 blogs since February. They were just concerned for my health and such. Here is why (4 reasons):.
•Strangely, I spent almost the entire winter with a cold. One lasted two weeks; then again, something more challenging lasted a month. My Family practice physician said there was a nasty cold virus around in February, knocking folks around for about a month. I believe it.
•We have been out of town twice. First, to drive to Pointe Verde, FL, for the Players Golf Tournament at TPC Sawgrass. The golf course is breathtaking and beautiful. Our second trip there, and it is simply as much fun as a golf tournament can provide. The following week, we drove to Charlotte, NC, primarily to be back in the old home State but mostly to see a concert by Jon Batiste. He, undoubtedly, is one of the most accomplished musicians I have ever seen. Very entertaining, and most happy to be performing. Probably the best concert I have ever attended (if you get to see him, go because you will not be disappointed). Simply put, the stress and being away by traveling from the comforts of home always tires me out, and it takes a while to recover. There must be some aspect of Parkinson’s that somehow just puts me on edge and wears me thin while traveling.
•I have been dealing with an arthritic hip and knee, with Parkinson’s ever-present but in the background. Between the stiffness and pain, I am trying to incorporate new exercises, and yes, it has put a kink in my golf game (the last thing I need, right?). I have an appointment to see my Orthopaedic surgeon next week for an opinion and suggestions about what’s next.
•Perhaps the most significant time drain has consumed too many hours. The writing of a scholarly article on exercise, exerkines, and managing Parkinson’s. The manuscript is 39 pages long (10 pt font, single spaced), >17,000 words, 4 Tables, 4 Figures, and about 75-80% complete. I will say more after it is (hopefully) accepted for publication.
Thanks so much for your concern. Your notes are very much appreciated. I am doing just as well as I can for a 70-year-old with Parkinson’s.
“I’m going to be totally honest with you. Dealing with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s is not easy and there is no one, single technique that will ease the pain and no magic pill that will miraculously enable you to cope with it. However … I sincerely hope that you are able to come to terms with the diagnosis and perhaps even come to view it as a positive life-changing experience.” John Baxter
Cover Photo Image by Susan Cipriano from Pixabay
Journey with Parkinson's 