Multiple Sclerosis was diagnosed
In 2002, I was told
This did not compute with what I read
In 2004, Parkinson’s disease was diagnosed instead
Heading into my 16th year,
What am I feeling, what do I fear?
This life is not what I would have chosen
Especially now when I experience frozen
The days are long, the nights are longer
Will I ever become stronger?
I try to turn in bed at night
Why is this a difficult plight?
Neural pathways step into action
Hoping my brain will wire new ones to my satisfaction
The responding thought…it won’t happen tonight
Continue to exercise with all my might
A healthy lifestyle I have always maintained
And to this day it has always remained
A top priority in my life
It also helps me cope with strife
At seventy-one I took the PWR Fitness Training Course
To learn from Dr. B. Farley, an invaluable resource
Opportunity to instruct when our Physio was unable
Provided consistency and helped PEG (Parkinson Exercise Group) remain stable
At the eve of seventy-three and now seventy-four
Challenges have erupted by the score
Unpredictable for me
Is my PD
Dyskinesias, movement out of control, my body amok
Lack of mobility, freezing and stuck,
Counting, dancing, stepping, rocking
Anything to keep the body from stopping
I golf, swim, walk and ski
I try to sing in harmony
The balance of medication, activities and living
Amount to a challenge for all my team who is giving…
My family, friends, grandchildren and more…
My doctors, nurses, counsellors, physios galore
I live alone, my family is next door
A blessing I am very thankful for.
I live in Canada, a land of rugged peaks and plains
Of seasons with snow, sun and rains
Far horizons and wild tossed seas
The beauty and the people is where I live and choose to be
PD is a part of me.
