Never judge a book by its cover

Walking into a room full of people you don’t know is daunting for most of us, but when you have Parkinson’s the feeling is compounded. Most look the other way, hoping they won’t be introduced or get stuck talking with the person who shuffles and has difficulty walking. It’s clearly not a broken leg or a strained foot, for there is something else which they can’t quite put their finger on. Offered something to eat in this type of environment, I immediately decline. That’s all I need, to drop food, difficulty in cutting with a knife, or heaven forbid I should choke whilst trying to swallow. Being in this kind of unfamiliar surroundings with people you don’t know and who are unaware you have PD, is a nightmare and one I try to avoid like the plague. The tension and stress of the situation naturally exacerbates the Parkinson’s and my situation gets worse. Looking around at all the faces absorbed in conversation with each other, I sit by myself, and wonder if it had occurred to anyone that maybe, just maybe I might be an interesting and fun person to talk to. Never judge a book by its cover. I may very well resemble a book that’s worn and torn, a little worse off for wear, but I have a fascinating story to tell, if only you’d look my way and open a page!