My Parkinson Story is a weekly column featuring member of our community, sharing their stories with PD. We are interested in sharing a wide array of experiences, including yours! PD looks different in everyone, and affects everyone differently, including friends and family of those with PD. If you’d like to share your story on our blog, please email us.
Twenty years ago my dear friend was diagnosed with Parkinson's and he invited me to go to a support group meeting with him. I had just retired from 30 years of high school teaching and he thought I would need something to do! Much to my surprise, when I walked into the room I noticed a fellow sitting across the room that I thought I knew. I walked over to him and we greeted each other by first names!
We hadn't seen each other for 40+ years and I knew immediately that if he was dealing with PD, I wanted to be a part of his Parkinson journey . . . and that was the beginning of my journey with hundreds of people (now my friends) who I met in support groups, at educational forums, or just met by word of mouth. After a number of years I realized that the caregivers needed to have their own meetings together, so the Dayton area, Northern Kentucky, and the Cincinnati areas now have their own gatherings where caregivers can share, strengthen each other, and enjoy an enriched quality of life as they deal with everything that Parkinson's brings forward.
I am grateful for all that working with the Parkinson Community has meant to me!