Even I have bad days

When you hear the name ‘Parkinson’s’ most people envisage shaking, but don’t realise how debilitating and degenerative this disease is. I have a tremendous fighting spirit and try to stay positive most of the time, but when I can see and feel myself deteriorating, I have to summon up every ounce of determination to battle on. I spent the day trying to do a little sewing on my machine, but was not very successful. I'm no longer able to machine or cut fabric straight. I was pretty upset at my poor efforts and inability to do something that I used to love and excel at. One more thing is being taken away from me. How I wish they'd hurry up and find a cure for this rotten disease before it’s too late. I fantasise about just waking up one morning and magically discovering that during the night Parkinson's just disappeared - vanished into thin air! How I long to have the energy and ability to competently run my household taking care of my family as I once did, and go for long walks around the forest with our dog by my side. I want my life back; to turn the hands back on the clock as I try to cling on to some semblance of a normal life and yet like sand in my hand, I find it's slipping away between my fingers. With chronic illness, there are good days and bad days. Today is not a good day, but maybe tomorrow will be better!

Slowly all the things I liked and found fun,

Are being stolen away, one by one.

Hobbies and activities I used to enjoy,

Skills and abilities once able to employ.

Parkinson’s the thief, crept into my life,

Causing great chaos, havoc and strife.

Constant change, as the disease winds its way,

Through every facet of my life each day.

Remaining positive and cheerful I do my best,

As this horrendous malady puts me to the test.

Although today was bad, I’ll not let it win,

I’ll find my ‘happy gene’ that I hold within.

Written by Elaine Benton © 2012