HOW I OVERCOME THE PARKINSON'S BLUES !
About me
As far as I can remember, I have always been athletic. To find out that I had Parkinson's Disease in 2004, was a total surprise! I had to learn everything that I could about this disease. I read everything and went to many seminars and have and still do participate in Clinical Trials. After reviewing my medical records it was determined that I had tremors in 1987, at age 38 years old. I can no longer smell, I drag my left legs often. I loose my balance but I do enjoy dancing. If I fall, I get right back up.
Many things happen to a person with Parkinson's dsease. As of this date, there is no cure, just medicine and/or DBS to help. I can not have DBS because of the damage done from my previous stroke in the area where the surgery would take place. I am getting ahead of myself.
Then came the major stroke in 2004, after my Parkinson's disease diagnosis. How could this happen? Paralyzed on my left side. I had to learn how to speak, chew and swallow foods, regain all movements on my left side including using my hand and fingers to pick up things, legs and feet to move, stand, learn balance and walking., rebuild the muscles. I won't get into that. It took a year of 3 to 4 hours each day of all kinds of therapies. I had a blood clot in a vein burst in my brain. I thank God that I was able to get back to 99% of me.
I have had 4 major surgeries for female problems, beginning in 1981 and so far no more since 2009. In 2010, we ( My husband and I) purchased a motor coach and traveled over the US spreading the word about Parkinson's disease and passing out brochures We no longer have the motor coach.
When I was diagnosed with Dystonia of the feet and calves, I thought ok, I have had enough. Surely, nothing else will happen.
But I was wrong, more would come. I lost the bone in my lower jaw and ended up with cadaver bone, implants, and gums, and snap in lower dentures. I have had 6 other surgeries adding more bone and gum. I also have been dignosed with temors of my voice box, .
Through all of this, I continue to feel totally BLESSED! I Thank God for helping me. Of course I have pity me times, and say, Why Me, Lord? I am human, but most of the time when this happens, I look in the mirror and say, Why Not Me? I am a fighter and I will continue to fight this disease called Parkinson's Disease. I continue to exercise and meditate.
I use to be so shy. Now I give Seminars on Parkinson's Disease Awareness. I also began writing poetry, I hope you enjoy it.
God Bless,
Margie
Larry & Margie
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Friday, May 30, 2014
HOW I OVERCOME THE PARKINSON'S BLUES !
HOW I OVERCOME THE PARKINSON'S BLUES !
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Exercise is one of the best defenses against Parkinson's Disease ~ This is Especially True for Those in a Wheelchair
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Remembering my First Parkinson's Unity Walk in Central Park
We talked for a while about PD and her husband with MS.
May May 's father: Muhammid Ali May May Ali , reading another one of her beautiful poems she wrote for this event. |
May May Ali |
Crossing the Finish Line. |
This was the highlight of my Day!
I will always remember this! Thousands of people attended. I am one of the lucky ones!
My husband Larry & I |
I May Need Your Help One Day!
Help - I have fallen! |
Swallowing and Choking! |
But if my hands are around my throat,
Monday, May 26, 2014
Poem by Maryum "May May" Ali Read at the 20th Parkinson's Unity Walk ( 2014)
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THE JOURNEY
By May May Ali Over 30 years ago, my father's voice was a little louder than a whisper, and we thought it resulted from boxing. I have a friend who had aches in his back. He thought it came from playing hockey. Unbeknownst to both of these men, their journeys had already begun. As years pasted, they were diagnosed with the disease, Parkinson. Like forks in the road their journeys were filled with choices that must be taken. And the roads that were traveled greatly impacted the outcomes of their situations. There's a path of inactivity, isolation, submission, and defeat. Another path is paved with proactivity, defiance, and a refusal to be beat. Like all of you right here and now about to walk together in Unity. Or like someone with PD exercising regularly and engaging in their community. Yes the journey is not easy, but your outlook doesn't have to be doom and blue. You can choose to manage your journey or allow it to manage you. Your life with PD is still special, so partake in what grows your smile. Meanwhile as we support a cure for PD, may your journey be filled with determination, continued hope, and style. |
Memorial Day!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Good Morning!
We all have a little something that ails people from time to time.
What may be minor to one, could be major to another.
I am a caregiver, as well as a person with Parkinson's Disease. I prefer to assist you so I don't have to dwell on me.
As I was saying earlier, I want to tell you this story:
A girl about the age of 9 used to visit the two women on the block in which she lived. This girl would be known as the little Rogers girl. The Rogers girl stopped to see Ms. Betsy, the woman was blind and lived alone. So this little girl would visit Mrs. Betsy, they would talk and talk mainly about the little girl and how her day was. After visiting Ms. Betsy the little Rogers girl would stop by and spend time with Ms. Teats. Ms. Teats had half of her mouth gone from cancer and Ms. Teats knew most people stayed away because it was terrible to see and smell. The children avoided Ms. Teats. It was sad that Ms. Teats had no interaction with neighbors, except for the little girl who stopped by everyday.
Ms. Teats looked forward to the little Rogers girl. This went on for a few years and then Ms.Teats passed away.
The little Rogers girl became a teenager and she would visit Ms. Betsy once a week now. Time passed and the the Rogers girl married and moved away.
Soon the Rogers girl had a baby and visited Ms. Betsy. Although she couldn't see, she enjoyed holding the baby. Ms. Betsy hugged the Rogers girl and baby, knowing that would probably be their last visit. Ms. Betsy was thrilled and talk about the wonderful time she had holding the Rogers' girl's baby. She talked about it for years.
Ms. Betsy soon discovered she had cataracts. After surgery, she was able to see. Ms. Betsy
wanted to see the Rogers girl, who had spent so much time with her. She only saw her pictures.
The sad truth is, that little Rogers girl is me and Ms. Betsy died before I returned from Japan. I do regret not being able to get back from Japan before she passed.
I am thankful that I was able to be with these two courageous women. Ms. Teats, fighting cancer and enduring all the pain. Her cancer was very bad. I could see her teeth because most of her face on the one side was gone and it smelled. But I was able to look beyond that. Ms. Teats had such warm eyes.
Ms. Betsy was very dear to me. She made me feel so special all those years. It is sad that Ms. Betsy had been blind for over twenty years with cataracts and never knew it.
I know that we will cross paths one day. Well it is time that I begin my exercises. Have a wonderful day.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Let's Fight Depression!
The beginning of overcoming depression:
try the above and you will feel better too.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Agent Orange and Our Military
They were cursed at, spit on and so forth...
A Big Thank you to the Military, their spouses and their children!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Waking Up and Fighting the Blahs!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Music is Healing.
Will You Be My Friend ?
Life is Beautiful!
God Bless
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Wow -What A Great Day!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
My Doctor's Visit
"Has anything changed since your last visit?"
Finally I was called back to the room and the nurse weighs me, takes my blood pressure and pulse.The nurse asks me, "Has anything changed since your last visit?" I said, I already answered that to the person in the front.
The doctor states, that he can not read her writing. "I said thats a switch."We both laughed.
Now I know the truth.
always at the doctors waiting
and waiting just to hear those wonderful words,
"Has anything changed since your last visit? "