I made a conscious choice that I am going to live a full life with Parkinson’s and that I will not let it become an excuse. I used to spend eight hours in the garden––now I spend only three before I get tired or sore. I also do ceramics, which is a challenge with the tremors but I keep doing it and now instead of doing tiny paintings, I do large jobs which are easier. I am not going to stop doing ceramics or gardening. Don’t sit around––follow your passion and don’t quit because you have Parkinson’s.
Learn everything that you can about Parkinson’s. I recommend getting into a support group because they are like another family and all the people in it understand what you’re going through. My mom used to always say, “I feel so shaky today,” and I’d look at her and say, “Mom, you’re not even shaking.” She would insist she was shaking inside. Other people with Parkinson’s would have better understood and empathized with what she was telling me. I now know what she was talking about because sometimes I get like that where I feel a terrible shaking inside––like I am in a blender or something––although outwardly nothing shows.
Regardless of whether you decide to get involved with a support group, I think it is important to have a friend, a doctor or a psychiatrist you can talk to. Also communicate to your family about what you are going through––just don’t go through it alone.
Source: Patty Meehan Bio: Patty Meehan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2005 at age 48. Provided by: www. survivingadversity.com
