Yesterday a short video clip showed up on a Facebook Page for people with Parkinson’s and those that support them. It was a video of a husband whose wife had been diagnosed some 20 years ago and how he had spent those 20 years. He talked about how he had spent a significant amount of money – some 30,000 pounds – on trying to find a cure for his wife. He expressed regret that he did not prioritise differently and spend those 20 years and that amount of money on doing things and building memories with his wife. They are now at a point where the things that they had dreamed of were now not a possibility for them.
It got me to thinking about my own journey. I suppose I am fortunate that I have had the experience of watching my parents and their Parkinson’s journey and also having worked as a Social Worker, to know early on what I needed to do. Right from the day of diagnosis, I was determined to live my life to the full. To spend time with those I love packing as many joys and memories into my life as I can. It remains my focus today.
My husband and I are planning a trip to the UK next year for eight weeks. We are treating it as if it is our last opportunity to do this. I am five years into a life with Parkinson’s and ultimately doing quite well, apart from some subtle changes that I can detect, things have not progressed too much yet. But, who knows what another five years might do? How able or unable I am to continue to travel long distance and to do the things we like to do when we get there? So, we have eight weeks for our UK trip and we are definitely maximising our opportunities while we are there. Some time for friends, some time for family, some time for ourselves.
We deliberately do not focus on the future and what that might look like, for none of us has a crystal ball. Anything could happen in the future and it may not be Parkinson’s that is the major issue for our health. It may be something completely different. However, we choose to focus on the here and now and getting the most out of life.
Below is a link to my podcast on this topic, with some further thoughts.
My journey with Parkinsons 