A few weeks ago I was in a supermarket, early doors, with my 12y old son.
As I was paying I became aware of a couple,tutting,shaking their heads and generally looking with contempt at me.
As my meds had'nt fully kicked in I concluded that not for the first time I was being perceived as a drunk. Having my boy with me I avoided a confrontation but mentioned the situation to him outside.
He replied " to be fair dad, it's 8.00 am, you're a bit wobbly and the only item you're buying is a litre bottle of 'own brand' cooking whiskey !"

I could see his point !

There then followed a chat which revealed that I'v become so sensitive about my condition that everyone walks on egg shells around me for fear of saying something I'll read too much into or take the wrong way.
So some good came from the episode in that I am now aware of yet another facet of personality that has changed as a result of living in Parkinsonia and can hopefully address it.

Such wisdom from a 12y old boy/man......a shame he has to grow up quicker than his peers.

Nigel

The one thing I have noticed that embarasses me is when my l-dopa level gets low , my eyes stare and look "mean"...people start appologizing to me for anything...guess I look angry to them. One more sign I need some tincture!
I have to buy brandy to make my l-dopa ...never willl get over having to go into a store that sells whiskey, etc. My wonderful husband will stop now and buy it for me so I don''t have to get embarased.

Wise lad, Nigel, very wise.

A friend commented that between 1000 yard stare, and expressionless face, I really do project the persona of a killer for hire. Oh lovely, so I always have to remember to smile when talking with people and wear a medical bracelet when flying (In the USA if they suspect you of being intoxicated, you are bumped off the flight and told to come back 24 hours later).

Sweet Jesus Tom, a killer for hire ! Im gonna have to work on my 'poker face' to perfect that one.... I do find it continually baffling when I tell an obvious made up funny and folk look amased and say "really !, you once climbed the north face of the Eiger using a washing line,shoe laces and a dozen paper clips" I scream," am I that convincing ?" the answer is actually yes.

Thanks Tom

I find that if I walk with a cane, the public will assume that I have a disability and not a drunk.

Works for me.

EnJoy life always
Max

Thanks Max

I do have a selection of sticks but at times I get fed up with being helped across the road by scouts and old ladies, sometimes the road Iv just crossed !
Its an urban thing, I don't experience it when walking in the woods and dales.
There people tend to avoid eye contact or me altogether,a situation encouraged no doubt by my preference for cheap army surplus clothing,hee hee !

Nigel

Havve ya'all seen this cane? Much better for posture and mobility.....everyone that I know has tried it swears by it....it acts more like an extetnsion of your arm and allows you to walk straighter and more naturally. i don't understand how they are not THE standard in every physical therapy office for those that need canes.
http://strongarmmobility.com/ - amazon and ebay have them t oo

i get the funny looks also. not many at work know i have it. after working 4 to 5 hours my face starts to drrop on the right side hand shakes, my walk changes to a limp. in public i just wear a knee brace.