I wrote this for 'patients like me', and I want to say bravo to all of you here as well:

PD is a cruel assailant that seeks out and destroys, one by one, the abilities that afforded us our personal pride and self image as competent, dignified adults.

We struggle to walk properly so as not to appear drunk - forget about the elegant walk we once posessed, it was taken away. We struggle to hide our tremor because it makes people stare, and because it makes us feel feeble and pathetic - forget about elegant and expressive hands, the control of that kind of movement was taken away. We sit out the dances at weddings and fetes, or we do our best to dance without looking too ungainly - forget about being a good dancer, that ability was taken away. We struggle to participate in conversations without stumbling over words - forget about eloquence, it was taken away. We strive to be heard with our soft little voices - forget about a beautiful voice, it was taken away.

We struggle and struggle to appear normal and well to avoid embarrassment, both our own and that of others. PD has robbed us of so many attributes that are needed in adult life. PD's aim seems to be to humiliate us, to crush our pride, to rob us of dignity. At times people treat us as if we are slow witted and not just slow moving.

Well - I think it is time we start to praise each other for the enormous struggles we know each one of us goes through every day. It is time we realize how proud we should be that we are coping and managing aginst such odds.

Only we can know how hard we have to struggle just to get through each day. Only we can know the sting of regret for what we used to be, the pain of humiliation, the hurt of the stares, the sorrow over the loss of so much of what we considered our 'self'.

So I want to compliment all of you on your fortitude and strength. I think your dignity as human beings is remarkable and admirable. You have every reason to feel pride in every accomplishment, large or small, because for us to perform even the smallest task is a struggle and a victory.

One of our victories is learning to accept and to like ourselves as we are now. Learning not to hate life because we can't be and do what we wish. Learning to accept and to like ourselves as we are, to love and to enjoy this life happily and thankfully, just as it is, lumps and all. We have all lost abilities we used to have, and we are all still dignified adults who deal with those losses. This is not a pity party, no cry for sympathy, it is a great and heartfelt BRAVO to everyone here because in spite of our losses we all do carry on.

Vanity also has to do with this. My vanity survives as well as my humor. A modest amount of vanity and pride are not altogether such deplorable qualities when you are sick and/or old. Without them we become pathetic. Eccentricity is only funny if carried out with elan. I'll be the elegant old lady I'd always planned to become - with PD.

Let us hear it for PD dignity and pride. Next time someone says something thoughtless or cruel, remember your daily victories over so many obstacles, and know that you are the stronger one. Living with PD is a victory in itself. Bravo to all of you


We are fatally ill, though we don't show it. We're not romantically ill like Camille in La Boheme, we're just slowly crumbling. And that is not easy at all to handle. Bravo to all of you once again, brave friends.

birte

I know Carolyn and probably others too have read it already. But here it is anyway.