Susan

My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012, but looking back he had symptoms for at least 10 years. When the diagnosis came, a light bulb came on for me and my anger and frustration involving my father (a retired and once fearless air force fighter pilot) washed away as I now understood the underlying cause of many of those issues, ( i.e. poor judgement, irrational financial anxiety, and memory problems.) Add to that his refusal to wear hearing aids and we were experiencing the perfect storm! Meanwhile, I had been working on my master’s degree, working full time and had a family of my own to care for. Finding myself sandwiched with the sole burden of meeting all of their needs, I found myself on the verge of several breakdowns. All of my siblings live out of the state and are unavailable. One day I ran into one of my husband’s childhood friends and learned that his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was involved in a local Parkinson’s support group. Initially terrified of what we would encounter by going to the meeting (my father fearing a peek at his near and unknown future by envisioning walking into a room full of crippled, semi lifeless, tremor-riddled beings lined up in wheel chairs and drooling). Instead, we discovered the many different and varied (but THRIVING) faces of Parkinson’s. This group has inspired us with their stories, their blessings, their challenges, advice and their hope. My life since has forever changed, and for the better.