My journey with Parkinson's

I wrote this poem shortly after retiring. It felt so free to be able to have control of my life, with no boss telling me what to do, my time was my own. Given the health issues that have plagued me, it is not unlikely that I would have been forced into retirement, but luckily I was able to decide when it suited me not what suited others.

Spending time with my children and grandchildren this Christmas, gave me an opportunity to see what my children and grandchildren might want in the way of items I have treasured when I am no longer here. The girls chose vases that I have collected so they can put a flower in them to remember me. Talking about what value is placed on things we have treasured and sharing the stories that make them p...

I have never strived for perfection. Instead, I have tried to be the best I can and that can change moment to moment, day to day and hour to hour. It would be easy to give up and just accept that we can no longer do some of the things in our lives that may have become difficult. Instead I try to do at least a part of something. For instance, I may not be up to a six hour tramping trip, but might b...

Another poem. This time, about identity. Who we are, and how we are seen can have a huge impact on our sense of self.

This is a poem that many will identify with. The endless amount of pills we seem to be prescribed will be familiar to many I'm sure.

Sharing Christmas with my two children, my daughter-in-law and my six grandchildren. Reflecting on what I might pass on to them one day and telling them the history behind some of the 'junk' in my china cabinet. It brought home to me, that there is no reason why they should feel inclined to keep any of it, without knowing the stories that go with some of the items. So, I will write down the storie...

I thought I would write a quick poem about Christmas to share with you. I hope you like it. I'd love to hear your comments on this or any of my podcasts.

A conversation with my husband yesterday made me think about my future and when I might have to face leaving this home and my husband. I hope that is many years in the future. But, it made me think about all the conversations I had over 20 years as a Social Worker and now the tables are turned. I get it now! It's no longer me doing a job - which I did care about - but it is about being on the othe...

This is one of the podcasts that doesn't directly relate to Parkinson's itself perhaps, but in a way everything in life is affected by having this condition isn't it! I was feeling in a reflective mood with Christmas fast approaching and some memories came back to me from when my children were young . It was nice strolling down memory lane and a simpler time.

I wrote this many years ago as part of my degree course. Internet dating was very new at the time and I was on a dating site myself. So, I wrote this poem. I hope you enjoy it.

How do we know what is precious, if we don't ask and how can we be annoyed/angry at someone who couldn't possibly know that it is more than just a thing!? Inspired by something that happened in hospital when about to have an x-ray. A necklace was grabbed that had huge significance for me, but how was that person to know?

On 15/12/2020 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. It has changed my life in so many ways, while I remain a 'slow burner' as it hasn't made me deteriorate in my functioning much at all.

In this podcast I talk about Christmas and an awareness that it is not always a happy time for people. Also, the term 'Loved Ones' that I have always detested and why. I also acknowledged that in two days time it is my Parkies Anniversary of 4 years since diagnosis on 15/12/2020.

This is one of many poems I have written over time. I have been writing poetry since I was 5 years old. Strangely, since being diagnosed with Parkinson's I have been able to write more poetry and of a higher standard than ever before. I have read that Parkinson's or Parkies can enhance any artistic abilities a person may have and it certainly has been the case for me. This poem is very tongue in c...

I am using a walker due to pain issues with a back injury. I hate it if I think people think my Parkies has progressed. I don't know why, there is no logic to this, but I do! So, this is a funny incident that happened because of that. My mobility issues are nothing to do with Parkinson's.

I've been retired since early May this year. So, I am at home on my own much more. I am trying to keep busy, but with my pain issues that's not always easy.

It's always good to stop and review how things are going I think. To take a step back and ask yourself how life is from time to time. Am I still doing and achieving the things I wanted to at this stage in my journey?

One of the things that was important to me when I was diagnosed was a sense that I didn't want to waste any time that I had and I wanted to spend more time with those I loved. We made a conscious effort to make plans to visit family, both here in NZ and overseas.

One topic that comes up often when talking to newly diagnosed people, is have they discussed the future with anyone close to them. They can present at hospital later on in their journey without the subject of the future ever being broached. Note: This is a replacement for a previously recorded episode, one of my first. The quality was poor and hopefully, this new episode is much clearer.

I am a second generation person with Parkinson's . Both my parents had it and so I grew up knowing about this condition. I started a blog to help me process what was happening for me and hopefully to help others. Now, I want to make some podcasts as another way to reach people. I will continue with a similar work to my blog, in that my life is not just about Parkinson's and so I talk also about ot...