Parkinson's global family

An experienced doctor of the highest calibre despite spending years specializing in a particular field; can he really visualize and understand what it’s like to live with a degenerative disease 24/7? Unless standing in a patient’s shoes, it is impossible to grasp completely the daily complexities encountered with chronic disease. Parkinson’s, like many neurological diseases, continually persists, never gives up, there is no “time out” or parole for good behaviour. I've long forgotten what it's like to feel no pain, to move my body freely, walk briskly or dare to run. How I miss those simple pleasures I took for granted when young in my care free days. I mourn the parts of me I've lost, my abilities and activities I can no longer do, and things I will never see. Left with no choice, I embrace the “new me” as this is all I can do. I'm someone slightly different – a re-vamped Elaine, still fundamentally “me” yet changed in so many ways. As strange as it may sound, some things have changed for the good. I no longer worry what people will think of me, or that I need to put on the graces. I have been given the opportunity of being “free” to speak out, to connect with others I may have never had the pleasure to meet, to be part of something so much bigger than myself, part of the global Parkinson’s family, all fighting for the same cause. Each of us can make a difference, together in numbers we have strength and the power to bring about change.