AJ
You have always had a way with words, and your reply is a prime example. "Acceptance" IS truly complex, indeed. If we fall prey to allowing others to do everything for us, then it wouldn't be long before we would not be able to do anything. But there's a mixed message, and you know this already.

It is statistically a fact that the incidence of PD increases with age,* but we do not have a confirming diagnostic test nor an official registry; therefore, the count most assuredly is more. (over 1 million in the U.S., and 7-10 million worldwide* - this is a "guesstimate" rather than an estimate).

It is also estimated that 4% of those diagnosed are under the age of 50.* With 80 million baby boomers turning age 60 (the average age of onset), this. Is going to be a major need In funding Medicare/Medicaid for the ones coming from the baby boomer population.

*These facts were taken from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation site at this link:
http://www.pdf.org/en/parkinson_awareness_press_release
Why don't we take these facts and send letters to your legislators and or write a letter to your local newspaper editor requesting no cuts from PD research? It can only help!
Peggy

‎"We all dread the helplessness of losing control, and yet real freedom lies in recognizing the futility of demanding that life be within our control. Instead, we must learn the willingness to feel—to say yes to—the experience of helplessness itself. This is one of the hidden gifts of serious illness or loss. It pushes us right to our edge, where we may have the good fortune to realize that our only real option is to surrender to our experience and let it just be." - Ezra Bayda


A Buddhist friend posted this in Facebook. I don't know who Ezra Bayda is, but I find myself both challenged and comforted by what he says here.

Aj

To add my thanks for your 2 posts is not enough. Just this morning I came to the conclusion that I just can't take it anymore. I still will not be able to take the help I really need now but your words tell me someone out there knows and feels as I do. Maybe for awhile yet I can listen to those words and make it a bit further. Greg got himself a good one when he got you. Stick around but only if you can and want to.

Regards to both of you.

"Don't go getting all woo-woo on me now."

-- Ann Campbell Wasson to Carey Christensen, 11/10/12, New York City

Ezra Bayda
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.c...ers.php?id=274

xoxo

Busted!

—AJ

How about this:

In weighing whether or not to accept or ask for help consider: If we allow others to do for us that which we can do for ourselves, when we can do it, we run the risk of becoming overly dependent, which can limit and disempower us in the long run. Conversely, if we don’t allow others to do for us that which we cannot at the moment do for ourselves, we run the risk of limiting our experiences in life and alienating those who would share that life with us.

I've had the most pleasurable encounters with those whom I've asked for help. Since I live alone, I am not in danger of losing my independence - I have plenty of things I must do for myself. When I'm out and about, I thrive on making connections - I love being able to give others the chance to be of assistance - it makes everybody happy!