Dealing with Difficult Circumstances

I was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 41. Though I was shocked by this news, it did at least explain the ”odd” things that had started going on with my body.

Being a preschool teacher at the time, songs and games that involved repetitive rhythmic hand movements were part of my daily life, and I was noticing that during these times my hand would just flop around like a fish.

While doing other movements, my hands would move so slow, almost as if I was in an episode of Baywatch. Suddenly everything would start going in slow motion.

But I was not running across the beach with a killer body and glistening tan, with my long blond hair bouncing in the wind behind me... No, I was simply trying to put my seatbelt on in my car!

Everyday I was amused and intrigued by these “mini rebellions” taking place in my body that showed up more and more frequently. It was as if my limbs had a mind of their own! 

Getting dressed was an endless source of hilarity! I remember the first time I had trouble trying to put my shirt on.  

 I managed to get my head and both hands in their correct holes in the shirt, only to get stuck there at that point with my hands basically glued to either side of my head, looking like crazy antlers and the shirt wrapped around my wrists and neck. 

 I called my husband to come and help me. As he walked in the door, he burst into laughter and immediately turned right back around and walked out of the room. I stood there dumbfounded asking him why he's not going to help me when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and busted out laughing with him. 

He then walked back into the room with his phone in hand, both of us laughing and trying to get the other to listen. Before he'd help me, he wanted to take a picture!!! The thought of that made me laugh even harder. The only response I could muster was...Seriously?!?! Help me!

 Shortly after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s I decided that I was not going to focus on the predicted course of events for my life, because none of us knows where our journey will take us.  

  I wanted to do my best to just appreciate each day for what it was and not take myself too seriously.

 I’m certainly not going to tell you that every day for the last 9 years has been one comedy show after another or that I succeeded in wanting to always be a positive and joyful person. 

 Truth be told there have been some very difficult days and I realize there will be many more to come.

 However, I have come to learn that the best way to DEFY the limits that are part of everyday life is to…

Determine to live in the moment and not get sucked in to trying to predict the future.

Enjoy your life and embrace the day for what it is.

Focus on what is truly important and don’t take  

Yourself too seriously! Laugh!

I encourage and challenge you today to not let the challenges you are facing stop you from enjoying your life!