We all have become acquainted with each other through Parkinson's. While Parkinson's is part of the patchwork quilt of our lives, there were obviously many other pieces of fabric that sum us up.

Look back at yourself before you stumbled into the world of Parkinson's, a time when you walked gracefully, had unlimited goals for the future, and felt you were almost invincible. Handicaps were for other people. You were solid.

I know that right before I had that first twitch of my thumb, I was looking forward to breathing more easily financially. Our younger child had finished college, I was loving my job as a teacher, I felt competent and smart, I had a good husband, and I believed my friends, family, and co-workers respected and liked me. When I look back on those days now, I liken myself to one of the people who stood on the beach watching the tsunami rage toward them without a clue, mindless of what was to hit them. You know, ignorance really is bliss.

What were you like when PD was merely imminent, not actual?

Ann