Diagnosed at 39
Tomorrow is March 11. It’s the anniversary of my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. I have been living with this diagnosis for seventeen years! It is hard to believe! When I was newly diagnosed, my friend lined up walking partners for me. As I continued to do fairly well, I kept increasing my weekly amount of exercise. I took up tai chi to help with balance. I added a yoga for Parkinson’s class. I walked as much as I could. I started working with a personal trainer. I exercised 5, then 7 hours a week. Now I have very little wearing off, very little dyskinesia, and I exercise roughly ten hours a week. I have spoken to classrooms full of physical therapy students and medical students, and they were floored — at my success and my enthusiasm. I know not everyone has such an upbeat story, but I am proof that many can live WELL with Parkinson’s disease.