The Holiday Season

There are many days that we can barely move

But we must force ourselves to improve

With great effort we must try

Even with flowing tears from our eyes

It's perfectly fine to have some frustration

Our passion for living is full of determination

Although life has many ups and downs

Let's all work to turn this all around

We can begin to look at the bright side

Feeling good about our achievements with pride

Begin each day feeling delighted

Share each moment feeling excited

Reminisce of Christmas past

Drinking cocoa and having a blast!

Decorating the Christmas tree

Is full of joy, can't you see

Listening to Christmas Carols is wonderful

The sweet sound, is helping us feel so delightful

There is such warmth and magic in the air

By sharing with others and saying a prayer!

Merry Christmas!

Why Oh Why?

Coffee

Nicotine

Marijuana 

Red Wine

I have read so many reports that say the following may help with Parkinson's:

                            coffee, wine, nicotine and marijuana. 

Nicotine is good for Parkinson's but it causes cancer and addiction

Marijuana is good for all medical illness but can do harm to some and it is still against the law in a few states, and who knows if the insurance companies will pay.

Red wine is good for you, if you drink it in moderation. The same is said for coffee.

We should all  get plenty of sleep and sleep on our side. Sounds good but many of us are lucky to get 4 hours of sleep a night and by 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, all we care about at that time - is please let my body and mind go to sleep.

I continue to exercise, maintain good weight and eat plenty of fiber. I do my best to be happy and not be depressed.

I guess I should drink a cup or two of coffee each day, and drink a glass of red wine at night.

Why can't they put nicotine and marijuana in the form of a pill for us to take. Instead they spend so much money on research and where does that leave us.

Why - Oh why- is that too much to ask for? And while you are making that pill, please put in a nice non-habit sleeping aid. 

If you make that pill, I will drink coffee and drink a glass of red wine each day.

Thank you.

Grape Vine

This morning upon waking up, I could barely move

My body was stiff and sore, but I had to prove

That no matter what, those limbs of mine

Have to move so I can get into the groove

With the music, by doing the grapevine

I love to dance, so lets try and take a chance

We can feel the grove, as we see them dance

All you have to do is feel the beat

Then you will begin to move your feet

Even if you hold onto a chair and take small steps

It's loads of fun, and when you are finish you can rest

Just by trying, you will feel so much better

It is a lot better than sitting and watching the weather. 

So join me and lets have fun!

It all begins In your mind

As I woke up this morning, I thanked the Lord for giving me this day

At times I feel so alone with the disease, my life continues this way

Then I go into my bathroom and look in the mirror and say

" Life is full of hard knocks, be thankful that you are here each day"

Giving up and feeling depressed will make you worse in in so many ways

These negative times, can make us feel inadequate

So let's learn to be the heavy weight, and start to activate

Feeling good about yourself each moment in your life is a fantasy.

We must learn ways, to grasp the good and let that be our normality.

We all have bad days and it is ok to feel down at times

Don't feel guilty that you can't feel positive and act like all is fine.

Practice telling yourself, each step that you take to overcome any negative

Whether it is going outside or talking to someone, will help you feel positive.

Remember - It all begins in your mind 

Now - this very moment, you can begin to shine!

Sometimes we have to Remind Ourselves

So many times, I hear, we are getting closer to a cure

How many times, they say, get involved to fund a little more

In the past year or so, they discovered more now than ever before

You may have to remind yourself, we are so close

I will never, ever give up hope

Whenever it is possible, I volunteer to do clinical trials

I am hopeful that I don't end up to be  just another file.

I have taken charge of fundraisers in the past

But I must admit, as time has passed, I am running out of gas

I am still involved with clinical trials, my blogs and seminars

But traveling and raising funds, will just be in my memoirs

I gave up my car keys, because of my slow reaction

When I become nervous, the tremors are worse and another distraction.

Sharing and caring about others is what I foresee

Although Parkinson's is a part of me, it's not all that is wrong with me

Exercise, meditating, positive thinking keeps me going you see.

Most important to me are my family, friends and Our Lord, Jesus Christ

I can not complain, knowing that the Son of God had sacrificed

Many Times You Have To Try.

There have been times when I would only sleep three to four hours a night
I was on the computer or talking to Parkinson's friends thinking it was alright
The day finally came and I said this has to end
I decided to go to bed and relax and it has been a godsend
It didn't happen over night and I wasn't willing to bale out.
In fact that took several months, but it all came about.

I have learned over the years, no matter what the circumstance,
We should do what is necessary and take chances
Never knowing unless you make the effort to try
Even if we fail, just don't give in and go on stand-by
But have patience, and even if there is little change
You gave it your all, for it may be out of range

Always, keep that drive you have within
Pushing harder each day, until you win!

Our Family Memories

Precious times watching our son and daughter grow
They both make us so proud, we could just glow

Memories of our first grandchild, Kristina, was such a gift
But living a thousand miles away, those precious times we missed
Then came our step granddaughter, Angela another gift
Times moved forward, looking back only wish we never missed
Watching them grow into beautiful caring ladies
We are proud grandparents more now than when they were babies

Our daughter lives forty miles from us
Watching the birth of our granddaughter Madison was a plus
Then came along our grandson Grant, just 18 months apart
They are just so lovable and a pair of sweethearts.
Yes we are proud grandparents and have so much love for all
Our family makes us so proud, if we could grow, we would be 10 feet tall.

We have been blessed with so many good friends over the years
Moving throughout the United States and Japan, leaving with tears
My husband was a Marine, so we moved quite often 
After settling down in Florida, I guess our next move will be a coffin.

But we continue to make memories, as our lives go onward
Enjoying fun times with our friends, as time moves forward
Parkinson's slows me down, but I do the best I can
Enjoying our lives with one another, that is our plan.

We think positive with life's ups and downs
Feeling so blessed that we are still around.

A Poem written by My Dear Friend, Jim Evridge

I lost a Dear Friend on July 19, 2016, Jim Evridge Jr., because of  stage 4 Emphysema "AKA:SILVERFOXX-FIGHTING BACK".

Jim had Parkinson's disease and helped many of us suffering with Parkinson's disease through the years. We sometimes laughed, shared memories, knowledge and most of all friendship. My husband Larry and I were able to visit Jim and Kathy a few years ago, when they came to Florida, Wow- what a treat! Such a wonderful caring couple.  Jim gave me permission to use his poem. It has always been on this site, since I began this blog.

 I want to share the poem he wrote:

We have PD .. 

We are a kindred spirit

We cope as best as we can against terrible odds.

We sometimes succeed sometimes we fail sadly,

But we never give up, or give into it.

We rely on each other

We lean on each other

We cry with each other 

We dry each other’s tears.

We love one another like. no other love felt

We lift each other up

We compliment each other.

We share our joys.

We share our misgivings.

We learn from each other.

We care for each other.

We understand.

We try our best to defy the odds,

Against this evil monster … PD.

We fight with everything we have.

We shall never give up our cause.

We shall never give into it.

We have PD

Together you and I, whoever and wherever you are equals “WE”.

Written by Jim Evridge.

No more suffering, dear Jim. You were a true fighter!

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into a flame by another human being. Each of us owes our deepest thanks to those who have rekindled that light."   Albert Schweitzer 

"Always remember to be thankful for what you have. There are those less fortunate than you and I who have hope in their hearts and prayers of thanks on their lips."   Jim Evridge AKA:Silverfoxx_Fighting_Back    

Our struggles

Many times we have to struggle

When we have troubles

But we continue to fight

At anytime, day or night

Our life depends on not giving in

Even when we feel like we are out on a limb

Pushing and moving when we can barely move

We do this each day, to make sure we improve

Parkinson’s won’t win as long as we are together

We will begin to feel as light as a feather.

No more feeling as if we were carrying weights

Gliding smoothly as if we had on skates

These wonderful memories gives us hope

Helping us to be able to cope

Having family and friends so dear

Helping us fight without any fears

Being together we will continue to endure.
Until the day comes when there is a cure!

Sound of Music

When I hear the sound of music it makes me smile
I enjoy dancing, even if it's just for a little while
Listening to the melodies, that I truly adore
I can feel the beat as my feet wants to soar
So off we go dancing on the dance floor

I may walk with a cane and shuffle my feet
But I can get up dancing and it feels so sweet
Up on the dance floor, I feel healthy and free
Then all of a sudden down I go, falling on my knees.

I get right back up, knowing it is time to sit and rest
Off the dance floor I go, knowing I am so blessed!
No broken bones, a little bruised and just out of breath
These are special times for me, I must confess.

I like hip hop, line dancing, doing the slide, slow dancing and more
I enjoy all of it, even if I mess up, I laugh doing what I adore.
Sharing the music with my husband is always a pleasure
Certain songs brings back many memories that I treasure.

Have you ever listen to a song and felt that beat
Your body may tingle right down to your feet.
Music has a way to enlighten us during the day
It brings us happiness and joy in so many ways

Parkinson's around the World

So many of us around the World have Parkinson's disease
Each day, the numbers  continue to grow, it is hard to believe
There are so many questions, without answers for sure
Will we ever know, or just continue to hope for more  

Our scientists, doctors and researchers are finding out more
The brain is a big puzzle and challenge as they explore.
As time has past, they are getting a better understanding
The World Parkinson's Coalition is outstanding

Renowned health professionals, researchers, and advocates globally will be there
Discussing cutting edge science, clinical research and comprehensive care
Knowing that exercising, meditating and positive thinking is the trend
Many Professionals agree it is another tool that they recommend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some helpful information if you are interested:

Join us in Portland, Oregon for the 4th World Parkinson Congress 

More than 3,500 people from 65 countries will attend the WPC 2016 in Portland, OR 

9/20/2016 to 9/23/2016
When:	9/20/2016
Where:	Oregon Convention Center 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Portland 97232 United States
Presenter:	World Parkinson Coalition

Go to their Website to for more information:

http://www.wpc2016.org/?page=Promotion

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