August 11, 2011
I am honored that guest blogger Diane Durkee is sharing this: A WALK TO MY GARDEN I see the stairs and I must go down. Where will they take me? What lies ahead? I fear the unknown. What will I find? What will I see? I know I must go down. One step at a time. There is no turning back From this long downward climb. I’ve arrived at the bottom With closed eyes and clasped hands Am I ready to face my challenges? The future – the past – it’s buried in the sands. I feel a touch, a warm loving touch. A soft voice whispers and I hear “Open your eyes go forward and believe. Continue on your path for there is nothing to fear.” I open my eyes and begin to look! There before me are the flowers and birds, butterflies and bees Beauty surrounds me and […]
August 1, 2011
Parkinson’s is a disease of the elderly. If this myth were a reality, my pharmacy shopping basket would not include a Mirapex prescription alongside tampons and No. 2 pencils. If this myth were a reality, there would be more gray hair among the students in my yoga classes. Conversations would be filled with tales of retirement rather than of the challenges of balancing career and family with a chronic disease. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Roughly 10 – 20 percent of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are under age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40.” If this reality were to become as prevalent as the myth, there would be more people willing to participate in studies. Or more who wish to learn about the phases and process of research trials. Here’s hoping that a cure becomes reality. Maybe it’ll even happen before I’m old enough to be a […]
July 27, 2011
Studies show that meditation can significantly reduce the severity of Parkinson’s symptoms. I’ve been trying to incorporate more mediation into my day, bring my mind to a place of stillness. The amusement park is not where I’d have started. Then again… There I was, waiting in line for the Yankee Cannon Ball — the vintage, must-ride, 1930s wooden roller coaster at Canobie Lake Park. A teen girl from the trio in front of me commented on a dog across the way. “I love animals,” she told me. “All animals.” She crossed her arms, “except sharks. I do not like sharks.” She shuddered. I nodded as her friend spoke up. “It’s whales I don’t like. They’re gonna take over the world. Seriously.” “That’s why I’m moving to Arizona,” said the third. “Billy and I have it all planned out. We wanna go where there’s no one else around. And no one […]