I am a more emotional being since Parkies!

I think I have always been a reasonably emotional person but have noticed very much that since Parkies has come into my life, that I am definitely more so. Not that I wasn’t a caring person before, but I think that things matter so much more for me now. I have been a more prolificContinue reading “I am a more emotional being since Parkies!”

Facing the future….

I’m not ready yet! As any of you will know that have read my Blog along the way, I very much try to live in the moment and not think too far ahead. Not an easy thing to do when you are a ‘planner’ like me. In many ways though, I am planning in theContinue reading “Facing the future….”

A life with purpose… what will I be remembered for?

I think I have always been someone who, from an early age wanted to help and support people. I have had a lots of ups and downs in life, both in relationships and with my health. I have had depression, I’ve recovered and I’ve headed towards depression again in this life. I am happy toContinue reading “A life with purpose… what will I be remembered for?”

We are the experts! Parkies People

In my last post, I talked about the value of being with others who have similar experience that we can connect to. I also spoke about a conference my husband and I attended in Rotorua a couple of years ago. It was shortly after I was diagnosed and while I had some hesitation about going,Continue reading “We are the experts! Parkies People”

I’ve recovered my equilibrium… (big word for a Sunday!)

Well, the last post I did I was a bit of a Negative Nelly. Sorry to all you Nellies out there! Or rather a Sad Sack Sue! Sometimes it just takes having a bit of an offload to actually start to feel a bit better about life. Sure, Parkies is not the hand I wouldContinue reading “I’ve recovered my equilibrium… (big word for a Sunday!)”

Parkies makes me a better person and a better Social Worker!

During a discussion group this week, I was using my diagnosis as an example of something that I need to be mindful of in my work. I was asked, ‘Do you find it difficult working with people with similar conditions? Or is it helpful?’ I didn’t have to think about it too long at allContinue reading “Parkies makes me a better person and a better Social Worker!”

‘Shouldisms’ and Self-care

The use of language is a powerful thing. The words we use can create negative or positive thoughts and feelings. I have always hated the word ‘should’, to me it is heavily value laden with the expectations of others. We then take on board and often beat ourselves up for not achieving what they andContinue reading “‘Shouldisms’ and Self-care”

If I had a time machine…

Or, If I had a crystal ball…. It’s hard sometimes to find a title for my posts. Often there is a mad jumble of thoughts and emotions when I sit down to write and to make sense of it can be a challenge. I had my grandchildren for the weekend, and we have had aContinue reading “If I had a time machine…”

Valentines Day…

romance in the air?? So today is 14 February, Valentines Day. A day when – if we have them – some of us might make romantic gestures towards our partners. Or perhaps a secret admirer will emerge to sweep us off our feet with sweet roses and sweet nothings? But what is romance really? IsContinue reading “Valentines Day…”

Research participation

Well, this morning I had my first online interview for the research I have just embarked on which is ‘NZ Parkinson’s Environment and Genes Study (NZ PEGS). I must say I was rather nervous about it. They did some follow-up questions regarding the online questionnaires that I filled in and clarified some of my answers.Continue reading “Research participation”