Support Groups

For quite some time now, I have been going to a support group for people with Parkinson’s and their partner/spouse/support person. The group is a very comfortable place for me, and I am sure for others to connect and get support if needed. Often, we meet and we might catch up with what has beenContinue reading “Support Groups”

Being older, but am I elderly?

It’s an interesting question I think, ascertaining how the world sees us and how we view ourselves. The two viewpoints may be poles apart. Am I seen as elderly because I have grey hair? Is age or being elderly based on a number? Is 70 years of age elderly or is it 60 or 80?Continue reading “Being older, but am I elderly?”

Anxiety and trusting in myself…

There are many facets to this thing called Parkinson’s – or Parkies – some of which we may be aware, some of which we may not immediately recognise as being a part of the condition. Some of the classics that people usually recognise are tremors – or shakes – freezing when trying to walk, lackContinue reading “Anxiety and trusting in myself…”

“Just in case!”

Just in case, is a phrase that has been used by me and to me all my life in many, many different scenarios. And I just thought I’d talk through a few of them. So when we were kids there was four children in the family, my three older brothers and I, and mum andContinue reading ““Just in case!””

Know me not for Parkinson’s

I have just been chilling out in my spa pool, soaking away my various aches and pains, of which there are many! While I was there, I was listening to some music and Linda Ronstadt started to sing. As I listened to her music, I thought about the first time I heard her voice whenContinue reading “Know me not for Parkinson’s”

Beware of disablers…

Working as a Social Worker for many years, there is of course terminology present and this can change over the years as thinking and research change. The world in which my parents brought us up was certainly a very different place. Words describing those of other cultures while a product of the times, would –Continue reading “Beware of disablers…”

It’s not just “Shake and Shuffle”

I was out today with my cousin and my 89-year-old uncle. Periodically we like to go trawl around the Op Shops together. Today was a beautiful day and we were enjoying each other’s company. After visiting the first shop we decided it was time for a coffee and a comfort stop. We went to theirContinue reading “It’s not just “Shake and Shuffle””

How do you ignore such a pest as Parkies?

From the moment I heard the fateful words proclaiming that I now had to share my life with Parkies, I thought it would take over my life. For my life to be that of a Parkies “sufferer” seemed the likely outcome. Then, something interesting happened. I suppose it could be the Social Worker in meContinue reading “How do you ignore such a pest as Parkies?”

Being my own worst critic or “If patience is a virtue…”

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while will know that I don’t just have Parkinson’s, I have a cocktail of comorbidities (things wrong with me) that affect my life as a package. For the past three years, I have been plagued by arthritis, which caused me to have a total rightContinue reading “Being my own worst critic or “If patience is a virtue…””

Finding my feet again…

Today I went to see a Podiatrist, who had been recommended by my rheumatologist to see if anything could be done about my sore feet. Just another thing in the jigsaw puzzle of complexity surrounding my health and wellbeing. I have spoken to my GP, the Parkinson’s Nurse and had email contact with the surgeon’sContinue reading “Finding my feet again…”