Paula,
i first met you in person at the world parkinson congress in washington dc where you arranged for me to be your roommate. I will never forget your
courage, and reaction when, I think it was the 2nd or 3rd day, I witnessed you go into dystonia and your reaction was laughter! I had never seen what it does to a person and was horrified and terrified as I tried to get your stiff body up onto the bed. Frozen as it was in a cruel twisted position. Your positive outlook and determination inspired this poem I wrote back then and has my admiration since. You are truly a warrior woman!

To My Courageous Friend

You are the heart inside the candle
Passionate
Jumpy with giggles and laughter
Smoldering after spending
Yourself – selflessly
Bright burning – darkness-defying

You are a flame
Refusing to be doused
Stubborn
In silence loud
You re-iterate
Your refusal to become cold
And though you may seem alone
You entice others
To hold their candles high
And twinkle boldly
Sharing, sizzling
Chipping away – purging the dross
To reveal the pure beauty
of your soul – my friend
In my eyes
You are a hero

by April Curfman copywrite 03/06/06