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tennmike1957 
This was sent to me another parkie one night!
“Parkinson’s Disease” -- by Lizzy Cole, Nov. 2008 “Do you feel like you have missed out on anything in life because of my disease?” I was caught off guard by the blunt honesty of my father’s simple question. “No, of course not” I responded quickly with a reassuring yet flustered look. He was referring to his Parkinson’s disease, the unspoken shadow that has hung over our household for twelve years (as long as I can remember). I had twelve years of preparation for that one moment and all I could think to say was, “No, of course not?” That doesn’t even touch the surface of my emotions towards my father. It doesn’t tell him that when I look at him I don’t see his symptoms. It doesn’t tell him that I admire him more than anyone in the world. It doesn’t tell him that I am who I am because of him. Tremor, muscle stiffness, lack of animation, trouble with speech: these are just a few of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and a few of the daily battles my father fights. Sitting at dinner each night I notice his tremor as a spoonful of soup silently slips back into his bowl, forcing him to brace his arm or switch over to his other hand. “I see poise and precision in your trembling motions,” I could have said. Alone in my bedroom, I hear his stubborn right foot drag methodically as he shuffles down the hallway. “I feel comforted when I hear the rhythmic sliding of your footsteps,” I could have said. I put on an excited smile and offer a cheerful good morning, only to be met with a silent straight stare. “I see strength and love behind your stern unchanging features,” I could have said. I listen to him place his order three times before the waiter comprehends his deep whisper of a voice. “I hear a vivid melody in the midst of your monotone words,” I could have said, “for you have taught me to see the beauty in the hardships.” “You have taught me everything, be it intentional or merely through example. My compassion for the world around me comes from you, giving me a deeper empathy for the humanness of each and every one of us. My drive comes from you, providing me the strength to move forward when all odds are against me, for I can create my own odds. My curiosity comes from you, giving me my yearning desire to try new things, challenge myself, and gain knowledge, for if I am not moving forward than I am standing still.”“No,” I could have said, “I look up to you, who after all your battles, sacrifices, and endurance, only wish to heal my wounds. Father, there are no wounds, for my life has only been enriched by every aspect of you. You are so much more than your disease…for you are you, and you are me.”
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Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for t heir baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.' Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'
The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings blessing to everyone who reads it!
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for t heir baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.' Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'
The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings blessing to everyone who reads it!
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Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. I had read it before but I think we can all count the blessings of our life. Blessings to you . xoxo
Yesterday was my 51st birthday! 51 years, who would have ever thought we would have ever made it any where close to this! In a little over a month I’ll be celebrating my 20th year with Parkinson’s Disease ! Although I wasn’t diagnosed until 2001, I remember when I first started not smelling and tasting, it was just before Valentine’s Day and I really couldn’t enjoy the Russell Stover heart I had gotten as desert from a girl friend in my dinner bucket! I thought it strange, but like any good man, brushed it off as nothing important! That means I have had PD nearly half my life! Longer than any of my marriages, longer than it took me to get an education and much longer than I had ever expected! I’ve tried to do right by this disease, by the people who support me and by the people I have met since! It has really changed my goals and life! I really wish to thank all of the people who have given me the strength in my life, as well as the many people I have met online! We have been through many nights of talking, listening and crying! I know I could not have made it without all of you! I also want to thank the special ones, you know who you are, who have stood firm beside me through the dark times and the ones who have stood behind me to catch me when I have been on the edge! These memories will always be with me! Challenging me to trudge onward, to support my friends and PD family! To be there just when someone needs a shoulder to lean on! That was what happened to me that first night in PLWP, I arrived at about 3 am that night! Tetter totting and there was someone to talk to! What was she doing there?I’ll never forget that night, or her matter of fact! So as I start a new year, I look forward to the comradery, the opportunity to still be there! Love you all!Michael
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Mike, Birthday wishes to you. I think you gave me my first hug here on DS. We may not speak often but I appreciate the support you give to everyone. You share your struggles with PD and the meds you take to help keep it under control. The information that you give us all about the effects of certain drugs has allowed me to better understand what happens to my hubby. Sending lots of love and hugs your way. XOXO
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Happy Birthday & may we all have a great year. Yhanks for always telling it like it is Shelley
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have a good year
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That was an inspiring and very moving conversation between a father and daughter! Thank you for sharing that and reminding us that we are not our disease! We are much more! I intend to keep this wonderful little piece and read it often!
Sincerely, Mary Hodgson (aka VT Grandma 40)
vtskier40
Thank you so much. I sometimes forget to focus on the positives in my life. I am truly grateful for what I have. Thanks for reminding me.
ejbear