We did it! We made it to the new year! I tell ya… it was touch and go there for a bit. As much as I want to close the book on 2018 and never look back, I think it is only proper to give this last year the ultimate send off. I have comprised a list of the top blog posts from 2018. Enjoy!
When people first meet me, they usually say something to the extent of, ‘”You have Parkinson’s? …But you look so normal.” This comment always makes me giggle inside a bit, because if they only knew… Muahahaha! What is “normal” anyways and who decides what qualifies as “normal”? I have always tried to blend into my environment. Laugh when it’s appropriate, smile when it’s not creepy and make eye contact while occasionally blinking. But I am pretty sure that not many people know just how much energy I am putting into appearing to be normal… {Click here to continue reading}
This is not a funny, normal, squirrelly post, but it was a moment of my life that I felt was so important share. Parkinson’s can be sad and I have promised myself with this blog that I will be open to sharing my pain without sugarcoating it… even though that sounds delicious. You have been warned.
A man came to therapy this week due to irritability that was leading him into periods of rage… we will call him “Jeff”. Jeff had sustained a traumatic brain injury eleven months ago. It was a car that swerved on the highway and ran into the back of his truck… he never saw it coming. He says, “It was like one moment, I was driving to work and the next thing I know… I’m this person who yells at my family and can’t even form a complete sentence.” … {Click here to continue reading}
One thing that I thought I would never encounter when I entered the Parkinson’s community was people with the same illness getting angry at each other. As an advocate for people with Parkinson’s disease, I belong to various social media platforms and various online groups. On Facebook today, a question was asked, “Is it just me or is anyone else offended by the term “Parkie”. To my shock, this question opened a can of worms, and people have very strong opinions about this term. So seeing as my handle is the “Perky Parkie”, I found it appropriate to chime into the conversation.
**First let me start off with a disclaimer: I am in no way dictating what terms are acceptable to call a person with Parkinson’s disease. I am simply stating why I chose to use this term when referring to the PD community, myself included…{Click here to continue reading}
Ready to Play Parkinson’s Truth or Dare?
We all know the game “truth or dare”… oh, those horrific teenage memories. I will review the rules for those who have been living under a rock. It’s a game for 2 or more participants. Players are given the choice between answering a question truthfully or performing a “dare”, both of which are set by the other players. The person in the hot seat has to decide which is the lesser evil, the undeniable truth or a challenging dare. I have created my own spin on the prepubescent sport… Parkinson’s Truth or Dare!
Here are the rules, I will give you a Parkinson’s truth and then I will dare you to do something related to that fact. I suck at explaining the rubrics of a game, but let’s just wing it… game on!…{Click here to continue reading}
When Your RBF Hinders Communication
I’m really not a rude person, but sometimes my Parkinson’s makes me look, shall we say… unapproachable. I feel that I’m happy-go-lucky and always have a smile on my face until I see my reflection. I have a resting bitch face. What the heck is that?
Wikipedia defines it as, “a facial expression, which unintentionally appears as if a person is angry, annoyed, irritated, or contemptuous, particularly when the individual is relaxed, resting or not expressing any emotion.”…{Click here to continue reading}
This last year has been a challenge for me. I want to thank you for all the love and support you’ve sent my way. I am blessed. Wishing you a healthy and happy 2019!
This is great and I love your humor! I’m learning to laugh at myself like when I recently made a swan dive going into the post office! I’ve learned to roll. Nothing broken! All is well! Hello 2019!
Craig, you got it my friend! Just roll with it!
You are definitely living the first line in “purpose driven life.” It’s not about ME! The things we go through in life are to be used to help, support, encourage others. Keep it up girl!