My diagnosis could have been worse. I have looked after patients with brain tumors or other terminal diseases where the life expectancy is six months or less––witnessing their last days brings me back to reality. When I think of all the people whom I have cared for over the years, any number of them would give anything to change places with me. I have been at the bedsides of hundreds of people who have died and no one talks about how big their house is or how much they have in their 401K or how fancy their car is. People talk about things like relationships, baking bread, walking down dirt roads or other simple things.
Some days I move slower than I want and that is frustrating. Right now I probably take 20 pills a day. But in a way, getting Parkinson’s has been one of my greatest blessings because it has given me an opportunity to look at life from a different mountain and to go down paths I would not have been on otherwise. Try not to waste a day or an hour or even a moment of your life. Celebrate. Have fun. Enjoy the journey, for life is an exciting and holy adventure meant to be lived and embraced even in the darkest of hours. Look for blessings in the challenges that come along the way.
We, the Parkinson’s population, still have a lot to give to others, despite the challenges and tough times we face with a deteriorating neurological condition. We all have gifts and love to give others. Every time that we help someone else there is a rippling effect that will assist others that we will never meet. When it comes our turn to leave this world, we will be remembered as people who made a difference. You only get one shot at today. You will never live this day again so make it the best day you can.
Source: Reprinted with permission from Surviving Adversity--living with Parkinson's disease.
BIO: Janet Sinke was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2001. She continues to write books and manage her publishing company. She has now published six books. Janet Sinke also speaks publicly about her experiences with Parkinson’s and publishing. URL: www.survivingadversity.com
