Do loved ones really understand?

Probably sick to death of hearing me talk, family and friends think by now they know all about Parkinson's, it's symptoms and side effects of the drugs. It's a little like making someone sit through two thousand photos you took on your recent holiday; however enjoyable it may have been for you, no one else is really that interested, and there is only a certain amount they can stomach. But I'm talking about ill health and not holiday snaps, so as time goes by, and the disease progresses, I think they are beginning to understand how little they actually comprehend about this degenerative life altering disease. At a family luncheon last weekend, the alarm on my mobile phone went off twice during the short time we were there, reminding me to take my pills. As anyone with Parkinson's will no doubt understand the importance of taking medications on time, this precision came as a surprise to my family sitting around the table. I don't think they realise that I'm battling for my life. Each day I strive to keep positive, as active as possible, and refuse to let my disabilities get the better of me. Without my fighting spirit, I'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle!

I'm in contact with a number of well established authors, and I asked them, "When is one considered an 'author'"? The answer I received came back loud and clear. If people are interested in what you have to say, are buying your books, reading your blog and articles - you can safely take on the title of "author". When my first book was published in 2011 and I started writing a daily blog, I had a small number of readers/followers, but to my astonishment now in 2013, family and friends are unaware, that thousands around the world in over 70 countries, are reading my work. All the effort and hard work I have put into this campaign is not completely understood by family and friends, and yet the wider public 'get it'. How strange that those closest to me, see only who I once was, and cannot adjust to a new picture. Maybe love gets in the way, and it's simply too painful for those who know me personally to grasp what is happening to me, and not through lack of care, but they just don't want to hear any more.

A fellow author, Jill Sadowsky, who is a true inspiration to me, has become a good friend. A woman of great courage and strength, she also carries a message to the world and like me, is on a crusade to bring greater awareness whilst offering support to those in similar circumstances. Jill also writes a daily blog, and I would like to share with you, a line that literally made me stop in my tracks. The words written by her late son, are so powerful and poignant, I think anyone suffering ill health can appreciate how this special young man who was loved dearly by his family must have suffered.

"Anyone who thinks that dying is the worst thing that can happen in the world, doesn't know the first thing about life." (Taken from "David's Story" written by JillSadowsky.)