Our usual starter for this form of chit-chat is away, so as an oldtimer I thought I'd take the liberty of doing the job. Here we say a few words about ourselves, just to keep track of one another in a personal way, in order to get to know each other more deeply, for mutual support and just plain old human interest.

For those who have been following the adventure, I talked to both Steve (our usual host here) and Laura on Saturday. Both were doing well as far as PD is concerned, considering their future paths, and making some tough decisions. I gotta say that what Steve has done for a fellow human being is above and beyond the call, and what Laura, also known as Harley, has been through in her life is far beyond what most of us could endure. They are both heroes in my book.

As for moi, I am still tired from all the singing I did as a member of my church's choir over the holidays, although it's very good for my breathing and voice, and I loved every minute of it. My greatest difficulties are staying organized and staying focused. To try and overcome my "executive" dysfunction, I practice all the choir anthems at home, and I get a list of the hymns from the director during the week so I can mark them all in my own hymn book ahead of time, to avoid fumbling with all that during the service. So far, so good, For the first time in my life, this fall, under a new director, I'm starting to be assigned an occasional small solo, so I guess I'm keeping it together all right, as long as my cloud of angels (fellow choir members) keeps helping me with the two dozen or so buttons on my choir robe and with getting my white billowy short gown on over it! (I have young onset PD, dx'ed at 53 but symptomatic for about ten years before that. I'm now 63.)

But enough about me! How every little thing with you all?

Jaye

dont include me in this hero stuff jaye. heros dont have to scream because they know what words must be used to be understood. heros dont cry, build mountains around themselves or continually search for purpose. heros dont need to be rescued. they know how to play the cards they have been dealt. they know what must be done and what strategies to use when in peril. instead of running around in circles, heros walk through battlefields with cautious steps. they dont look at life through colored glasses or wait for a dream to happen. heros know the reality of their situation and they own up to their part in it. they find peace in what they have and learn how important forgiveness is. they arent blind to others needs nor do they learn from hindsight. they see everything stark and can focus on the "now". heros appreciate what should be appreciated and forge forward. their march uses legs held by resolute strengh instead of crawling through the dirt. heros dont acknowledge terms like "PTSD". they instead are "survivors". heros dont flee an unresolved situation. they put on their armor and fight.

dont put me in that catagory.. please

I thought heroes were people who looked for a way forward even though they're scared to death and there's live ammo in the air. I think what you were describing, Laura, was angels. Except that not admitting to illnesses that are treatable these days would be a waste of resources. Let's continue this off-forum. Call me or PM me or someone who listens, K?
J.

Jaye- That is great that you can sing some solos. I sing at church also, but I can't sing as well as I used to. The ENT doctor found that I have a tremor on my larynx. For a while I could barely sing at all. LSVT helped me to be able to sing again, but my voice isn't very good. I need to do my LSVT exercises more.

I have been keeping up with my shoulder exercises. My shoulders get very stiff if I don't. I also started doing other exercises that I learned in PT including pelvic floor exercises and they have really helped a lot. Any women having sexual difficulties- I am surprised how much the exercises have helped. Here is a link to some exercises, although there were more that I learned in PT. http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/bo...erpt.asp?id=63

I am still tired from all my guests over the holidays. I kept yawning while giving lessons yesterday, but I can't sleep for a long time at once. Here I am at 4 am on the computer. I wake up to go to the bathroom and when I lay back down I start to think of things I need to do and people I need to e-mail. Then my tremor starts, so I get up. It will probably take a week of extra naps to get back to normal.

Hero's to me are people who give me inspriration. They are pulling everything they've got to overcome the hand that was dealt them. Asking for a new deal.

Hero's aren't God's. Just people pulling their boot straps up.

Thank You Jaye for posting the Check In thread this week..We were visiting ol'cs, and we left Sunday evening, stayed over night, and came back home on Monday..It was good to see an old friend again, as it was for Laura and Chuck to meet for the first time..We parkies always have plenty to talk about when we meet, and this meeting certainly was no exception

Hero.....

A hero is someone who acts in the presents of fear, not someone who acts in the absence of fear..Soooooooooooooo, Ms Harley, that would qualify you as a hero..Nevermind that you traveled to Ohio in search of some hope, and left the place you've called home for 50 years, but came to Rhode Island as well in the presents of uncertainty, and the unknown..I have also seen how you faced everyday as a sick woman before the Cleveland Clinic performed their craft and set you free from the imprisonment of your own body for 24 years, and let me tell you..That..takes courage!!!



LION

Courage!

What makes a King out of a slave?

Courage!

Lion explains to Scarecrow, Tin Man and Dorothy...



What makes the flag on the mast to wave?

Courage!



What makes the elephant charge his tusk
In the misty...mist, or the dusky dusk?
What makes the muskrat guard his musk?

Courage!

Scarecrow, Tin Man and Dorothy listening to the Lion --


What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder?

Courage!

What makes the dawn come up like thunder?

Courage!

What makes the Hottentot so hot?

What puts the "ape" in apricot?

What have they got that I ain't got?

Shooting past the Lion to the Scarecrow, Dorothy and Tin Man --
they all speak --

COURAGE!!!!

Lion speaks, then reacts --


You can say that again! Hah. Huh!?

************************************************** *************************

Had to throw that in for effect..

So that muh dear makes you a hero..You have inspired many, and gave them the hope you seached for, and found..Now you have a powerful message of newfound hope, dreams fulfilled, and prayers answered and reality to share with those in despair..So..pppptttttttthhhhhhhtttttt!!!..Deal with it!!..And have a nice day....or else I will reside by the cookie jar and prepare to defend myself

I am listening for His answer

The passage of time has left me naked
Upon a path where my life must begin
No longer am I able to turn away
From the force of strong changing winds

Memories decend from the sky as dust
Becoming a mountain I cannot see through
I walk away from the layers upon bare feet
Praying that God will show me what is true

What life has weakened is strong through faith
Yet steadfast convictions must change or fall
The wind is relentless as it pulls at my heart
Wiping out the foundation of my internal wall

My feet slip upon unchartered earth
I dance pirouettes to music I do not know
Choking upon unformed words seeking freedom
Becoming silent as the wind continues to blow

Exhaustion takes hold of my entire being
My mind is too full to make a rational call
Every thought enters from a different direction
I spin round till the song ends. Then I fall.

Oh Lord, I know You have purpose for me.
So I give You my life Your grace claims
Only You can speak to the winds of change
To guide me where Your peace remains

That was good!

paula