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

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Saturday, September 6, 2014

I Can Still Smile.



I thought I would say hello and let you know, 

It doesn't matter whether I wake up, feeling the Blahs,

I always put a smile on my face, while I am still able to. 

I want to explain to you how fortunate I am

because I still show expressions on my face.



Please read:




What is Facial Masking in Parkinson’s Disease?


Written by  on 

What is facial masking in Parkinson’s disease? Our face is often the barometer of our emotions: when we are happy, we smile, and when we are sad or unhappy, we frown or scowl. Facial expression is an important part of body language and human beings are genetically programmed to make an assessment of a situation based on the clues we pick up from people’s faces, which is why it can be very disconcerting when a person loses their ability to register emotions.
There are more than forty-three muscles in the human face. These muscles allow us to produce a wide range of facial expressions, from laughter and smiles, to grimaces and frowns. Even tiny changes in our facial muscles can give rise to very subtle changes in expression. A loss of movement in the facial muscles can occur for a variety of reasons. Strokes can cause paralysis down one side of the face and injuries can lead to nerve damage. Even cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections can paralyse certain muscles around the eyes and mouth, causing the strange mask-like expression we sometimes see on famous celebrities.
However, unlike the short term effects of Botox, facial masking in Parkinson’s disease is one of the symptoms of a loss of motor control. Facial masking does not affect all Parkinson’s patients, but when it does occur, the person’s face becomes far less expressive than it once was and they gradually develop a blank mask-like demeanour that is not necessarily representative of what they are actually feeling.
Unless other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are evident, it is very easy to assume that a person with no facial expressions is bored or disinterested. Their blank expression might not fit with what they are saying, which can affect social relationships in a very negative way as humans tend to rely on non-verbal clues to help us decide whether a person is being truthful or if they are to be trusted. A person affected by Parkinson’s facial masking is also more likely to be perceived as depressed or unhappy since the face of a happy person normally shows lots of movement to match up with positive body language.
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