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, January 31, 2015

I Practice Tai Chi



I exercise and practice Tai Chi
It helps me move and feel at ease.
Out on the lanai, I feel the warmth from the sun.
My medicine is helping, if only I could run,
I would sign up to a Parkinson's marathon.
This would make me feel like a good samaritan.

I may move slowly, but I will succeed.

Because in my heart I will always believe.
I work hard at slowing my disease
That's how I deal and it works for me.

I laugh often and enjoy the little things.
Soon I feel the good that it brings
I will not throw in the towel
I plan to be here for awhile.



Friday, January 30, 2015

A Brand New Day


A brand new day will be filled with peace, strength and aspirations.
I know you have the drive to overcome your frustrations.
Everyday you meditate as well as thanking God for another day.
You put a smile on your face and are uplifting in so many ways
Whether you are in pain or busy in your day,
You always seem to be available to help in anyway

Life is so short, you often have this to say
"I feel so blessed, I'd like to share with the rest
I could give in to this disease, but there is no time for that
I 'd rather live in pain, and enjoy what time I have left.
I enjoy watching the pair of owls building a nest in the tree
It is wonderful to sit and watch how busy they can be.
I must confess, I enjoy feeling the breeze blow my hair
and I feel so relax, as if I don't have a worry or care."

So when you feel no one understands what you are going through,
Just remember, there are people just like you or worse than you.
God Bless!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Music






Music has the power to help us heal
It is amazing how it can make us feel
It can restore our hope
And motivates us to begin to cope.
A pleasant smile, positive mind
Encourages us to be friendly and kind

Hearing a wonderful song with a good beat,
Makes us want to get out of our seat.
So why not get up, move those feet and dance
There’s nothing wrong on taking a chance.
You may feel silly and have some fun
It seems like our life has pleasantly begun.


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Love and Hope



The wonderful feelings of Love and Hope,
makes things a little easier to be able to cope
Each morning when you awake your body is stiff 
Oh how I wish it was just a myth.

Each step you take, you will become more secure
You are slowing down PD, that's for sure.
Walking into a room, you sit and meditate
this helps you to regenerate.
Put a smile on your face
You move with so much grace

The control you have is a wonderful way
to encourage others to follow you each day.


Monday, January 26, 2015

Accept the Diagnosis





Let's accept the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
But we will not give in to it without a fight
We may move slow but we will do it with all our might.
Embrace life with a smile that's warm
That's how you will defeat your storm.

Each day we work to make our muscles limber
Let's try Tai Chi, biking or being a swimmer.
It's sounds like a lot, but PD takes more,
Begin slowly, and you will be a little sore.

Each day you continue, you will gain your confidence.
Before you know you will become dominant.
Without looking you may get the blues
Just remember, we all get them too.
You have what it takes
even with the shakes.

Life is now you've been blessed
It is up to you, to choose your quest.
Follow your instincts and all will be fine
With positive thinking you will shine.



Saturday, January 24, 2015

Having a Rough Day



Parkinson's can make our day rough
But after all of these years
I no longer have fears
I can fight and be tough

When I am stressed, my tremors appear
At these times, my eyes begin to tear.
I shuffle as I walk and sometimes stumble 
My voice becomes weak and at times I mumble.

The path that I take has never been straight
There have always been bumps and curves.
I will not to give in and it will lift this heavy weight.
I push myself to exercise, to overcome my body being rigid.
While being outdoors, the blahs have been lifted.

Today, I have been in total control
Fortunately, I have reached my goal.
I choose to live the best way I know how.
I won't give in, by throwing in the towel.


Thursday, January 22, 2015

It is a constant battle, each day we have to face.



At times it is very difficult to endure the pain and cope, 
Please remember our strongest therapy is our hope.
We take our medicines and are careful with our diet
We just can't sit around and be quiet.

It is just like having a band-aid placed on a cut
and hoping it will heal without any fuss.

I for one, must take a chance to push myself
doing Tai Chi and riding my trike.
I meditate to push the blues away.
Oh how I wish I could go on strike
and rid myself of this decay.

Although I haven't walked in your shoes
the leather on mine is thin in places too. 
Each small step we take
Enhances the words " I Can"
You never know we could end up in a marching band.
With each step, we feel the power growing
All of a sudden we are glowing

Each day, we continue to exercise
We begin to feel more energized.
We are doing it, yes we are
We feel like a super star !


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Believe in Yourself





Don't be a victim to Parkinson's disease.
I know it's hard, but you need to smile, 
Stay composed, maintain your style
Be pleased of what you have achieved

We all have challenges in which we face
Each one of us needs to move at our own pace.
If you can only move a little each time
You are doing it and that’s just fine
The sweat and work you continue to do
Slows down Parkinson's as well as the blues
Many years you have suffered
We know you are tougher

If you loose your balance and fall
Please don't feel like you have lost control
You have that wonderful drive
I know you will survive

We are together in this
So lets take the risk
To do what we must
Even if we make a fuss

It is the way to do what is necessary
To over come this adversary
We can do it, yes we can
We have the best game plan

Always remember to believe 
The power within, you will achieve.


Monday, January 19, 2015

No more tears, pain or fears.

There will be a day....
No more tears
No more pain
No more fears

I can't sit back and let the days go by
Hoping someday it will go away
If I can move a little, I will fight until I die.
Parkinson's has been with me too long
So it is up to me to right this wrong.

I begin to meditate
Letting my mind drift to a beautiful place
Filled with love and full of grace.
This helps to make my worries fade
I can then feel my strength begin to build
It will be necessary to have the strength to fulfill
By exercising, to remove my stiffness
I can overcome Parkinson's weakness.

Using my meditation and exercise
I  have finally come to realize
These are the things which slows down Parkinson's disease.
It works for me and may not last.
I wish one day it will be a memory from my past.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

The Power of Music






Music has a way to make us feel good.
It has power to motivate us as it should
The sound of music helps to entertain and inspire
It helps to ignite our inner fire
It is wonderful the way it makes us feel
Giving us hope and sometimes helping us heal
Listening to music makes us want to dance
We can dance and dance as if we're in a trance.

Some of us can play an instrument
while others can sing
It's as if we have been given a stimulant
In which we want to do everything.

Music has a way to help us slow Parkinson's disease
It rids us of the blues, helping us feel some relief
We exercise by dancing, by moving our feet and arms 
Music can make us feel like we can never be harmed.


Negativity




When we are stressed it triggers our Parkinson's to show itself. 
Exercise and meditating fights to overcomes it, 
so I can put all of the negatives up high on a shelf.

I work hard each day to feel as positive as can be
It tries to make me feel blue
but I do all that I can do
I thank God for being with me.
I look at Parkinson's disease as if it were
an evil entity inside of me.
I wish it were a dream or just a blur.

I go outdoors to enjoy the beauty of life
I see the birds flying high up in the sky.
There are a couple of owls up in the pine tree
I wonder if a nest will be ready for their offspring.

There is a chill in the air
as it blows through my hair.

Living in Florida is great for me
I don't like the weather to be freezing you see
Because I shiver and shiver constantly
I have to take a hot shower honestly
to rid myself of the cold inside of me.




Tuesday, January 13, 2015

We are a Team









I know everything will be alright,
Since we're a team in this fight.
So remember, you're not alone, 
I will be near, just use the phone
Every challenge that we face, 
We manage it, with so much grace. 

Life is too short, to simply waste, 
Although we are slow, don't move with haste.
Sometimes there are things, we don't approve, 
We're in control, we may change and improve. 
Life is here, for us to explore, 
Think positive thoughts and you shall get more. 

With Parkinson's in our life, we struggle and suffer, 
Those experiences just make us so much tougher. 
Our struggles teach us, more than words could say, 

They help make us, the person, we are today.