Happy Anniversary

I am terrible with dates.
If I don't write it down, I will forget.
Today is February 17, 2020.
I missed my 7th year anniversary of being officially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  

Quote from the very first blog

"Breath ...everything will be sort of fine.
This is a long distance marathon, not a sprint.
YOU will not be Michael J. Fox in a week.
Be honest with yourself and your partner.
Start to excise if you don't, and work harder if you do.


I did not realize it at the time, but I bought myself a new set of "Taylor Made Rocket Blades Z irons"
I knew there was a reason.

So it's been seven years.
What have I / We  learned?

Here are 10 things I have learned over the last 7 years.
And some of these have taken 7 years to learn.

This is in no particular order .

1. I have discovered I have grown a patience. I never really had one of those before. It's still not a large patience but big enough to handle everyday things, like traffic jams, people who cut in front of you in line. But not so big that I can tolerate hate, pettiness and a closed mind. 
2. The amount of pain the human mind and body can endure on a daily basis is incredible. Parkies spend pretty much all their waking time in pain. It might be at the level similar to that of a small bump into a chair. Or it may be equal to being stabbed. And it is never the same place twice. Yet you would not know it. If asked a Parkie responds with "my legs ache today".
3. Exercise is actually good for your overall well being, "who knew".
4. Parkinson's is not an old person's disease. There are many living with Parkinson's under the age of 50, both men and women. 
5. You can still lead a productive work live. Having PD doesn't mean you can not contribute to a company. 
6. You should embrace today. You never know what tomorrow will bring. 
7. Learn to embrace the person you are today. What you were is gone, what you will be is up to you. 
8. Although at times it doesn't feel like it, I am thankful for the life I have, I could have been diagnosed with something so much worse. 
9. I am glad for the people I have met. To those who have the courage to fight on a daily basis,  in some cases for 20 years. They are truly real life heroes. 
10. Not to give in to fear, it is a waste of energy, and changes nothing. 

But most of all I have learned that it takes being part of a community to get through this awful disease. One may think you can handle this thing by yourself,  but you would be wrong.
I ask other early onsets why do you not come to the support group, or get involved?
The most common answer is ..."it scares me to see what I will become".
There was a time I felt that way.
But after 7 years I have learned that if I have half the zest for life that they have, the courage to face another day with a smile like them, to continue to live life on their terms.....don't be afraid, be inspired.
Yes they have been forced by PD to make major changes in their lives,
BUT THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES!

Warren Zevon was asked by David Letterman in an interview shortly before Warren died of cancer,
"What advise can you give me?"
His answer... "Enjoy the sandwich"