Carolyn, your metaphors (I think they're metaphors) are just wonderful.

From BEM in PA:
Having PD is like falling down a mountain side. Once you've fallen, there is no turning round and climbing back up, the only way is down. At first you can grasp small trees and pause on rocky outcrops, but the mountain side gets steeper and steeper, the rocks get sharper and sharper, and even if you've survived, broken and maimed, almost to the end, the final drop off will kill you.

PD is like a bus that only picks up. Once you're on board you can never get off again.

PD is like old age. You no more say "Get well" to people with PD than you say "Get Young" to old people