Alan

Alan is 83, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio where–shortly after graduating high school–he married his holocaust survivor sweetheart and received his medical training at Western Reserve University. Wanting to get away from snowy winters, they left for San Francisco, California where he did his internship and residency at UC San Francisco. Then, the Massing’s settled down in the Bay Area and Alan went into practice. Two children and 39 years later, Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was 72.
Since his younger brother had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease several years earlier and their father’s sister also had PD, the disease was not unfamiliar—though obviously now, familial. Alan knew what to expect. Nevertheless, facing one’s ‘golden years’ with such a burden brought on a short period of depression.
Rather than wallow in angry self-pity, Alan decided to deal with life one day at a time and enjoy his wife, his family and whatever other joyful blessings came along. So, he and his caregiver wife moved south to Laguna Woods, a senior community in Orange County, California to be closer to their daughter.
Music was always a favorite pastime and when Alan heard about the “Tremble Clefs,” a music therapy choir for Parkinson’s Disease victims and their caregivers, he and his wife joined it. It has been an important source of support as well as providing pleasure and friendships. Another source of fun and a major passion has been a new hobby for Alan who never had time for hobbies during his former busy professional life, making slide shows of and for his family. It gave him the means to convey in a most meaningful way, what each one means to him.
Finally, Alan’s innate sense of humor brings laughter into his life every day. He somehow sees the light side of life in most situations and his unexpected, humorous quips often fill his space with the appreciative laughter of those around him. Yes, it is laughter and love that sustain him.