COVID-19 was a gift to me.
Parkinson’s has a list of symptoms and the variety present in any one person varies. I always see it as a dart board with all the possible symptoms around the edge. Then Mother Nature takes her dart, tosses it, and randomly hits various symptoms. These symptoms become the description of a particular person’s disease.
One of the first things I learned about my disease was that at this point in my journey, tremors are not prevalent. Lack of motivation and fatigue on the other hand definitely are.
I have always been a busy person with work, family, friends, and volunteer activities. Suddenly I had little interest in any of this. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Dr.Bonnie Henry, our provincial health
officer told us to stay at home, avoid groups and hunker down. For me that was a gift. With my lack of motivation, these COVID-19 regulations were just perfect. I followed the orders and was happy as a clam.
Then one day, about a year later I looked at myself in the mirror and realized that this change was just not me. At the same time, our support group was ready to start to have COVID-friendly meetings, but we needed a new facilitator. So, when asked, I said yes.
My other volunteer activities had been pretty much on hold due to the pandemic but were also starting to take place. I got busy with what had been my usual commitments.
I found that when I was responsible for meetings, phone calls and social events I could put aside (not always easily) my lack of motivation and follow through. However, I did also learn that I had to schedule myself differently. A morning meeting meant I was pretty much bagged for the afternoon. Having my grandkids for a weekend meant planning and preparing slowly but surely over the preceding days.
My Parkinson’s requires some changes in how I stay motivated and engaged but with planning I can care for myself and handle my responsibilities.