Why me?

Having been born with a chronic disease, I have always taken care of my body, and not wanting to sound like a goody two shoes or a prude, I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, I wasn't a curious youth so never took drugs, I didn't enjoy alcohol and it was of no interest to me. My diet when growing up was entirely wholesome home cooked food, some of which was grown in our own garden, and spending much of my youth outside in the fresh air, sailing in particular, I don’t think I could have had a healthier upbringing. Yet struck down at the age of 44 with an aggressive form of Young On-set Parkinson’s, clearly no amount of “clean living” can prevent certain diseases emerging. Whether a disease is inherent in one’s DNA or from our modern day toxic environment – it’s still not clear. It serves no purpose thinking “if only” or “why me”, and coming to terms with something as life changing as Parkinson’s, is to my mind, the only way forward. I continue to fight this rotten disease and refuse to give in, but at the same time accept its part of my life whether I like it or not. I have to adjust my lifestyle to the ever changing conditions as this degenerative disease runs its course. As if driving a car with no brakes, I cannot stop Parkinson’s, but I can grab tightly the steering wheel and maintain to some degree control of my journey.