We all read about the negative side of Parky ... how about you share one or two things that had Parky not paid you a visit ... you may never have done.

I will start off with two.

1. I started running on a treadmill (well walking at first) now I run 5 km straight every day and have lost 10kg.

2. I realised there were people worse off than me and have started the Happy Hands Foundation ... to help orphans in Thailand

Now over to you ... and lets make this a positive posting ... be active dont just read and leave

Hello Shakenbutnotstirred

Read your thread and did not want to "read and leave" without a message.

I am glad you are able to be positive and enjoying the treadmill. Good for you.
Don't want to sound negative but for me having Parkinsons is frustrating and prevents me from doing many things I once could. Having just come back from 3 days in the Lake district which I love. And have now found the simple task of walking (and that is what you do in the Lakes) so very difficult.
Not giving in to it just yet, but it does seem to be taking over.......my life.

The only thing I have not lost is a sense of humour.

PB x

Thank you PB ... I admire your honesty and participation.
My apology to anyone who may feel my running is in some way skiting ...
When i started i would be lucky to run 100 m ... But on a past life i trained and achieved a
Black belt ... That same determination is still in me.

Regardless of how Parky affects us (And i do know it does differently with everyone)
I started this thread because life is 10% what hapenns to you and 90% what you make if what hapenns

I have read some amazing and inspiring stories about adversity and encourage everyone to
Focus on finding at least one good thing

Thanks

My husband is a changed man since my Dx. He is more caring and thoughtful (well, most of the time).
We have been on holidays (a previously very rare occurance )and we are re-doing the whole house to make it look nice for my daughters wedding ( that would never have happened before PD.

I think it has made him realise that I am important to him and not just a convenience to do his washing and cook his meals!!

I much prefer this new man!

hello sbns
i have posted before on this, and there are almost always positives for any experience. For me pd has resulted in meeting on the internet lots of great people (and a few not so great!) and being impelled towards creativity (possibly, even probably) by the drugs, but still its something i greatly appreciate. Lastly it has caused me to study neurology which has increased my understanding (i believe) of many things.
However in the long term the negatives will gradually dwarf the positives, but positives there are.
cheers

Hi, SBNS.
Thought I'd better not read & leave. I can't think off hand of the positives (I'm a slow thinker), but I'm sure there are some. I'm not even suffering badly yet, so yes, there must be some.I'll go off & think about it now & get back to you. All the best. EM

I'm back. Positive of the moment is that i've read this post & so discovered that I don't do enough, especially while I'm still able. So DON'T JUST THINK, BUT ACT is my new motto. Byee.

Thanks EM ...

You are right ... do what you can whilst you can.
My wife and I are cramming 5 years plans into 2 ... just in-case.

My positive today ... and its in poem form is looking at life through the eyes of a Thai orphan ... then realising just how good I have it ... Parky or no Parky!


What I’d give for a bedside story read to me by Mum or dad


When I wake up in the morning
I look around and something just not there
No mommy … No daddy to wake me up
It really isn't fair

I have 60 friends to share my time
And there are my carers too
Sometimes we get volunteers
For excursions at the zoo

My clothes are all packed away
In my slide-out draw
My shoes are stacked in a row
With 59 others … at the door

I have food in my belly
Bath twice a day … it's really not so bad
But what I’d give for a bedside story
Read to me by Mum or dad

At least I am healthy
Unlike some children … Who have HIV
Sometimes they cry out late at night
I'm glad it’s them not me

What did I do that is so wrong?
What have I done so bad?
That I should have to live my life
Without both mum and dad

I have lived here since I was one
That was five years ago
Sometimes life just flashes by
But some days it goes real slow

I wake up often in my sleep
I'm afraid of to lose my toys
When I turn seven … Is time to move
To live with 175 older boys

No more girls to play with
I won't be the big boy any more
I've heard from other boys who’ve moved
And I'm afraid of what's in store

For 10 more years I need to wait
Until the day that I’m set free
When I can finally leave this orphanage
And rely just on me

I promise that when I have children
I will be there … To take care
To tuck them in to bed at night
And let them know I’m there

If you can share some of your wealth
For a better future is my goal
Knowing your money is helping orphans
Will be like feeding your own soul

If not for Parky visiting me ...
my wife and I never would have founded Happy Hands

http://www.happyhandsfoundation.com/

hi,
i admire what you are trying to do with your life but for me there is no positives in PD. I had to retire early from my profession as a nurse this was all i have ever wanted to do and had been a nurse for approx 35 yrs. Now i feel sometimes i have no purpose in life. I have had PD for 3 yrs now and i would dearly love to say that there is a positive side to it for me but sorry there isnt. On a POSITIVE note for you good luck in everything you are trying to achieve.

With great sadness I sold my motorbike; then realised I'd got enough money to buy photographic equipment for myself and husband (including tripod to keep camera still!) Have found a new way to enjoy the countryside and express my poorly developed artisic side.
Also when I was diagnosed my o/h and I realised how important we were to each other and after 10 years living together we got wed with a great party.