If only our Parkinson's symptoms weren't real!

Anyone suffering from a progressive, degenerative neurological
disease knows the heartbreak of recognizing how the disease robs us
of our abilities sometimes slowly over time, sometimes quickly.

Those of us who are afflicted with Parkinson's Disease face untold
pain and loss as Parkinson's Disease runs its course in each of us.
Usually, we start with our movements slowing down, tremors shake one
side of our body, our muscles become rigid, frequently an arm hangs
useless and we drag one leg. Our handwriting gets smaller and
smaller until it is unreadable. Our balance is off and we begin to
fall. In fact, before treatment, many of us appear to have had a
stroke.

Parkinson's is a difficult disease to diagnose and even more
difficult to treat. Parkinson's Disease does not go into remission
and currently has no cure. For many people, the symptoms disappear
with medication, but for many others, the medications will cease to
become effective at some point. The shaking, the violent twisting of
the body, the frantic flailing of arms is not controllable in those
whose medications have quit working. Is it any wonder that
Parkinson's patients don't want to leave their homes? Who wants to
be stared at and made fun of? Especially by a so-called media
professional!

I wish it were possible to wish away my symptoms! I wish everyone
who has this dreaded disease could have their movements controlled
by medications. I wish those in the media who have suggested that we
are "acting" would be taken off the air, taken out of print and be
forbidden to speak again!

If only our symptoms weren't real! If you or your organization wants
to learn the truth about Parkinson's Disease, call 296-2575.

Friday, November 17, 2006

- Sarah Johnson, Volcano