Well, today is it. The day I start taking control of my body, showing it who is boss and getting into a focussed exercise programme designed specially for people with neurological disorders. Hence, ‘the man with the plan’ who will come to my home four days of every week for four weeks. Not only that, but I will be getting up every morning earlier to do about 30 minutes of exercises myself.
This is a commitment, quite a big commitment if I’m honest and yes, it is daunting! I find myself asking myself if I can do this, then I think about how I will feel if I don’t. The thing I want most for myself is for ‘future me’ to look back and feel that I have done everything I can to help myself. I can’t change the diagnosis – and believe me, I would if I could – but I can take control of how I react to it.
I could sit back and give in and feel that deterioration is inevitable and become fatalistic. But where would that get me? Low in mood and deteriorating faster than I need to, that’s where!
So, yes, I am daunted by the commitment. But as much as I am committed to my relationships with my children, my grand children and my husband, I must remain committed to myself just as much, if not more so. If I want to be there for all those special and important moments for my family and to enjoy the life that I have then this is it! This commitment, this programme, following the ‘plan from the man’ will be the way to do it. Studies have shown that exercise is the key and if there is a key to unlock my potential, to keep me strong and functional for longer, I will take that key and use it for as long as I can.
I’m not saying that it will be easy and some days my enthusiasm may be flagging, but I will not let Parkies get the upper hand! I will do my best to fight this condition, to exercise and to give myself the best chance I can by doing so. I owe it to myself and to those I love, for I cannot look back as ‘future me’ and say “I wish….”
My journey with Parkinsons 