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When I was close to my 60th year I held out my hands for my (late) husband to pull me up off the beach blanket. Not because I couldn’t get up on my own, but because I thought I’m almost 60 and this is how old ladies get up off the beach.
Shortly thereafter, I took up yoga and learned that if you don’t make the effort, you don’t get the grace. In short, I learned to kick my own butt and connect with my breath. I am younger in spirit and body now and grateful that I did not succumb to impending old age. That's lesson one. Ten years ago my husband got a prostate cancer diagnosis. We both spent so much emotional energy worrying and forecasting his coming illness and demise. Neither happened. He died healthy and doing what was his passion - scuba diving. This was a reminder that we don’t know what the future holds, so don’t spend energy thinking about it. That's lesson two. Now I am no longer in my early 60's, but in my early 70's. Now I have a Parkinson's diagnosis and I am applying those two lessons in my coping and dealing. I do not know how my disease (I like to call it a condition) will progress, but I am being proactive in my fight to stay well. For example, I joined Ping Pong Parkinson. I LOVE ping pong! It is so much fun! The fact that it helps my brain build new neural pathways added to my cross referencing with others affected by Parkinson’s at our sessions, is icing on the cake. I could have joined a support group and sat in a circle talking about how sad we are. Instead I’m playing ping pong! Swimming: I don’t understand the how or why of it, but in the water the stiffness that Parkinson's causes disappears. I use a snorkel to keep my head in the water and exist in a weightless realm where my limbs are fluid and beautifully at my command. Yoga: Provides a mind body connection and breath awareness. Also aids in strength and balance. So in a funny way, Parkinson's is giving me my best self. Even if my condition deteriorates I feel good in the moment. And the moment is all we have. Diane Gershen
1 Comment
Margie
11/7/2021 07:53:16 pm
Great article, Diane. Your wisdom speaks volumes and your actions are everything. I’m so glad you joined Ping Pong Parkinson and that you enjoy playing as much as I do.!
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