Prayer of a Parkinson's Patient

It has been a very long time since I tried my hand at poetry, but this week I began writing out some of the things I was thinking and feeling and out of those thoughts came this poem. I hope it blesses and encourages you.

The Handicap Placard

Sitting in the doctor’s office, having just heard the news, still stunned, I look over at my wife, she gives me an encouraging smile, and says to the doctor and I, “Now I know this is going to make you upset honey…”, and right there, I knew where this was going.

We Are So Blessed - Great Article

It is easy for all of us to get lost, and to lose the perspective we so desperately need. The article below provides a wonderful reminder, whether you have Parkinson's or not, that we are in fact very blessed. We can choose to focus on all the negative, or choose to realize that in spite of the negative, we still have so much to be thankful for. As Dr. Suess reminds us, "Just tell yourself duckie, you're really quite lucky." 

Do You Know How Lucky You Are?

That "Life Stinks" Bucket is Getting Pretty Full

As a young man, I thought the bucket was full after my arthritis diagnosis (silly boy). Surely it was full after emergency stomach surgery and a hip replacement by 19, but no it was not. Well definitely after my sister passed from cancer and my dad had cancer (not to mention my wife’s very difficult pregnancies). It was still not full, even after 2 more hip replacements – how big was this bucket anyway?

Some Tears Are Needed

It’s a normal day, well, as normal as my days get. Someone comes up to me and simply asks how am I doing. I start talking, and for no reason I can pinpoint (or that I want to admit), my eyes well up with tears, and I begin to cry. Embarrassed and frustrated, I simply stop talking, and we stare at each other in silence, neither one sure what to say or do next.

At 85, Frankie Valli Still Rocks!

I have a very eclectic taste in music. If you can think of the time period, or a genre, I can probably find the song or an artist that I enjoy. Out of all the music though, my favorite is music is from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. There’s just something about this music that speaks to my soul. I love it. I have a huge record collection, and my iTunes music library has over 5,000 songs in it. But out of all the music I love, there is no singer I love more than Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

I Am So Tired of the Fight

29 years. It’s been 29 years since I first heard the words, you have arthritis. I was only 15 years old at the time and I had no way of knowing just how long this journey would be, and at times, how challenging and exhausting it would be some days.

My Warped Sense of Humor

“If one day I have to stop working, maybe I can still get a job at Home Depot doubling as the paint stirring machine?” Every time I repeat that joke (and yes I got it from somewhere else), I get a look from people, and in that look, they are not quite sure if they should laugh or be shocked.

Can You Trust Me?

In the days after my diagnosis, I will be honest, my head was spinning. It was like staring at a huge mountain, knowing you have to climb it, but having no idea where and how to start. So many questions; so much uncertainty; so much doubt; and yes, so much anger.

Overcoming Grief - Great Article

We all have things in our life that cause grief. Being diagnosed with a chronic, degenerative illness can cause one to experience grief over the loss that will be experienced throughout the remainder of life. Grief is a natural reaction to loss, and it is okay for us to feel this. Too often we try to deny our grief and never deal with our true feelings. This article provides great thoughts for dealing with this loss and grief.

Overcoming the Grief Caused by Parkinson's

Am I Going Crazy...

For months, I could tell that something was not right. I just did not feel like myself (granted, if you know me, you know that I have never been quite right, but that is a different story). In spite of my other physical issues, I began to notice changes; I was beginning to have more and more difficulty doing even basic things, and I had no idea what was going on.

When Is Enough, Enough

As we drove home from the doctor, one question kept repeating over and over in my mind, “God, when is enough, enough?” You see, in regards to my health, this was not my first rodeo. From the age of 15, there had been a seemingly endless parade of health issues and difficult circumstances. How much more could be piled on?