I was formally diagnosed with PD in May 2006. I had been "treated" for Essential Tremor since 1998....I was 35.

I worked in law enforcement for many years, then medically retired due to an injury unrelated to PD jn 1994. I went to work in healthcare as an ER Supervisor.

My neuro & pysch both warned me that stress and fatigue are the enemy. I lasted four more months before I had to admit they were right, between work and my son having nearly died in a suicide bombing in Iraq (July 2006), I went out on disability in October 2006.

I mourned those losses for awhile, then I picked myself up, gave YOPD the middle finger and went back to figure skating, working out at the gym, took up quilting and crochet.

I try to spend my time focused on my abilities and gains, not the losses.