So you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
The very idea that you have a degenerative brain disease is overwhelming to anyone. You feel like you have reached you highest point in your life and now its all down hill. Questions flood your head at a dizzying pace. How long can I be independent? How will I pay for this? How long until I am frozen in wheelchair unable to move. Do i have enough funds to retire? Self-pity and depression infect your soul. Why me? Will my family, friends and colleagues think I am mentally deficit? At this early stage, you able to conceal your tremors  during family gatherings and business meetings,  but it’s getting worse, You wonder how long can I keep it a secret…

Is your life over?
Without a doubt you have been dealt a bad hand. There’s so much information and so little clarity how to proceed. Well, you’ve come to the right place, because all Parkinson’s patients have wrestled with these tough  issues. Here you will find a way forward. Your attitude, commitment, purposeful life  and determination will largely determine whether you thrive or dive. Your destiny is completely in  your control.

You are in control.
The key words  are “you are in control” The first step is to make a choice, best summed up with the Latin phrase – “carpe diem” ( seize the day). Are you going to seize the day and make the most of your day or other choice of just take your medicine and slowly lose your range of motion, strength and mobility. You can fight back you have to do it. This first choice you have to make.

Stretching & Exercise 
Carpe diem! You are here. Which means you want to thrive. First things first – stretching and exercise. This is a commitment that will help you maintain your range of motion, flexibility and strength. These are key to maintaining mobility & living independent. The best part of exercising is it the  only thing shown to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

It is important to find a stretching class and an exercise class taught by an instructor that specializes in working with Parkinson’s patients or sometimes combined with similar diseases referred to as “Movement Disorder ” class. Programs should be tailored to your health ranging from sitting to standing. Exercises should include slow & controlled movements that extend limbs to the  maximum range of motion, buio=ld strengthen for sit to standing  & getting out of bed and work on balance.  

Classes are easy to find these days from branded programs, community classes exercise led by a Parkinson’s  specialized trainer or physical therapist and online classes. The key is to make sure your class is by a trainer who specializes in Parkinson’s exercise. 

Attitude is everything.
It’s no secret that Parkinson’s is a tough life, but no one wants to spend time with people who are down and out.  Keeping positive is one of  life’s great lessons. Life is so precious and so short. Research has shown that outgoing positive individuals live up to 7 years longer. Thar’s huge! Its especially important with Parkinson’s. Depression affects greater than 50% of Parkinson’s patients. It not only affects you but everyone around you. 

Getting out bed is half the battle
It is common to wake up and be stiff and think today is going to be tough. I can barely roll out of bed. I recommend getting, no matter how tough it is, to get out of bed, stretch and have a breakfast. I guarantee you will be your normal happy self once you get moving. I am always amazed at how quickly  I can transition. Eventually you can train your mind to skip the wakeup blues and be poisitive . 

Positive Outlook

Secrecy

Care Giver

Support network

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