What do you wish people knew about living with Parkinson's Disease, Part 1

How do you explain something to a person who has never experienced it? How do they understand what this disease feels like? It is hard for any of us to understand the depth of another’s struggle if we have not walked that path ourselves, but when we begin to see just a small part of what another is dealing with, it can help us as we work to help them.

Drifting Apart

We sit in a room in silence, side by side, both feeling numb. What is there to say? The hurt and pain of this latest diagnosis, some days, is unbearable. We sit there in uncertainty – will we make it? What does she think of me now? Am I still loveable? Does he still care for me; he seems so distant? It seems like we have not talked in days? How did we get here?

Can I Forgive Myself For Having This Disease? - Dealing with Guilt

I sit there alone, locked in my own thoughts. Silently I beat myself up for not being the man I think I should be. Daily, I look around, and I see myself (at least in my own mind) letting down those I love – my wife, my children, my family, my friends, even those at work. I am battling so many feelings and I am so mad at myself for having this disease. I feel so guilty for putting my family though this - has anyone else ever felt this way?

Sometimes, God's Plan Stinks

So, let me see if I have this right, Lord, I need to have yet another struggle. My arthritis is not enough? The pain and death of my sister to cancer is not enough? My continuing health struggles and the burden it places on my family in every possible way is not sufficient? So “the plan” is to give me an even greater, life-altering disease – one with no cure, that will just get worse over time and make life even more difficult? This is the plan? Well, as far as I can see, this plan stinks!

What's Your Problem?

She call over and asked if she could see me. As she entered my office, she asked if she could close the door. After the door was shut, she looked at me and simply asked, “What’s your problem? Are you Alright?” I stood there, not sure how to answer, because I was anything but alright.

God, I Just Do Not Get It

I stand there with someone close to me. We both hug each other through tears that will not stop. Once again, we have been dealt another blow. One more thing to place on the stack of sorrow and discouragement that has been at times, overwhelming over the past few years. As we both stand there, trying to get the tears to stop, we are plagued by the simple statement, “God, I just do not get it. I just do not understand.”

We All Need A Sam

“I made a promise Mr. Frodo. A promise. ‘Don’t you leave him Samwise Gamgee.’ And I don’t mean too. I don’t mean too.”

“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”