Life is complicated. Even without Parkies. But with Parkies, it is even more so. There is a lot to weigh up when it comes to decisions about life for those of us with the diagnosis and obviously for our supporters. If, like me, you are part of a couple you will be acutely aware that what you decide to do with your life will also affect your partner. That is a fact that I take very seriously.
The thing is, sometimes life decisions are not easy and clear cut. In fact, I would say that most of the time that would be the case. Because this condition of ours progresses differently for each of us and often has different characteristics, it is difficult sometimes to even seek advice from each other.
One of the biggest life decisions is about whether to continue working, or reduce hours or perhaps change to a completely different job. I have been working in my current role for 10 years now and Social Work as a profession for 20 years.
The difficult thing about working, is that you spend most of your week at work and it leaves little time or energy for other things like exercise. I know that exercise is key, but achieving any worthwhile exercise on a regular basis can be difficult. My local Parkinson’s Society holds a number of exercise classes and other options for support, but they are predominantly during the day when I am working.
So, tomorrow I turn 63. Wow! Where did all that time go? In New Zealand, retirement age is 65. I will certainly retire no later than March 2026.
It is time to make a ‘bucket list’ to see what we want to fit in for the life we have left to us. I’ve already ticked off canal boating, tandem skydive and swimming with dolphins – the last item (dolphins) being terrifying! Never again! I hope to get some more overseas travel under my belt before travelling and mobilising becomes problematic.
So, getting a bucket list together and ticking those items off with my lovely husband is definitely on the ‘to do’ list for this year. I wonder if we can tick any items off in 2024?
Only time will tell.
My journey with Parkinsons 