LOOK FOR THE POSITIVES

“HOW HAS PD LED TO SOME POSITIVE ADDITIONS? WHAT ARE THE HIDDEN BLESSINGS?”

These words were on the Facebook page called ‘Living With Parkinson’s’ this afternoon. It seemed, at first, like a simple couple of questions from an interested member of the group.. but some of the comments were anything but simple and there was a lot of negativity and hopelessness expressed in some of the comments. Reading the comments, positives being outweighed by negatives, I felt quite down and sad, which I hadn’t been when I started reading the post.

Here are a couple of those comments

“There are no positives to this terrible disease. Every day is a struggle.” and

“You’ve got to be kidding! It’s taken away every pleasure in my life. Find something good about that!” and

“PD took away so much. I find it difficult to find a positive addition. If there is a hidden blessing, it’s really well hidden and I haven’t found it yet!”

Then I started thinking about my life, and the 13 years after my diagnosis. Where I HAD been quite happy, sitting on my bed and thinking of devouring my ice cream (a reward to myself for completing half of my To-Do list today.. well, I only got 2 out of 9 things ticked off yesterday so I improved ..and besides, I love salted caramel iceream) but I digress……..

I realised that when I had been thinking positively I had been feeling great, but reading all the negative comments made my mood sink and I felt awful. Really reinforced the notion that you need to find the positives in the situations you find yourself in…no matter how well hidden.

SO, I got down to answering Nelson’s interesting questions.

Of course it sucks having PD but don’t have a negative attitude or it will drain you and suck you dry. Negative thoughts breed negativity, unhealthy thoughts, stress and bad health. Two quotes that help me get motivated and live more positively are:

“There is always, always, always something to be grateful for” AND

“I don’t have any choice whether or not I have Parkinson’s, but surrounding that non-choice are a million other choices I CAN make.” MJFox

When I look for the positive differences PD has made in my life I find lots. Sure there are some awful, crappy things but I wont dwell on those …..it’s a waste of energy! 

So what positive additions has PD made to my life? Believe it or not, there are some.:

Since my diagnosis ( and after I stopped always seeing the negatives) I have done things I NEVER would have done or indeed have been able to do before Parkinson’s entered my life

I have :

Learnt to not sweat the small stuff. To look at and enjoy the little things (yes, like salted Caramel ice cream)

Started to be able to paint and have held exhibitions in Perth at the Niche, in my home town of Mandurah in Western Australia and at present I have 5 pieces of art in an exhibition in Austin, Texas.

Published a children’s book about Parkinson’s .

Gotten over my fear of speaking to a group of adults and have done a Tedx talk and talked to small groups and large groups about PD (;eg Rotary, nurses, teachers etc) .

Started a group in Mandurah called The Unsteady Hand Mob and through this group teach art to people affected by Parkinson’s whether they have it, care for someone with it or have a friend or family member with it.

Started a boxing group for people with Parkinson’s (PWP).

Produced a play called Kinetics to raise awareness of PD. (2019)

Produced AND directed another play about a man just diagnosed and it received rave reviews.

Become much more confident in myself.

Raised over $15000+ for the Parkinson’s Nurses fund (Western Australia).

Made a small business putting my paintings on accessories, mugs, coasters and just about anything.

Produced a play called Kinetics to raise awareness of PD. (2019)

Produced AND directed another play about a man just diagnosed and it received rave reviews.

Become much more confident in myself.

Raised over $15000+ for the Parkinson’s Nurses fund (Western Australia).

Made a small business putting my paintings on accessories, mugs, coasters and just about anything.

AND

I am an advocate for those who have PD and have helped many people start and continue their Parkinson’s journey and love the best life they can.

Developed a Hospital Kit for People with Parkinson’s so they dan have an effective hospital stay.

I write a blog and am in the process of putting  another book together, this time full of poetry and short musings.

I tend now to be a ‘glass half full’ person.

Two days ago I went to Curtin Radio Station and did an interview with the lovely Jenny Seaton ..something that would never have happened BP.

I spend more time on things that I want to do and need to do now that I was forced to retire early.

I now take exercise and good eating seriously and except for the Parkinson’s I am healthier than I have been for years.

I don’t waste time trying to impress people to get them to like me. They either do or they don’t and if they want to leave my circle of supportive friends ..it’s their loss. I surround myself with positive people .

So surprise, surprise there ARE some unexpected positive additions to life after the diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

I’m still alive, and although I have had to give up driving (which is a VERY HARD adjustment), there are still things to be thankful for. I am moving house soon, hopefully into a small village community which will be great I hope…. easier to maintain, lots of activities to keep me occupied, downsizing and the ultimate 2 deal breakers..a big art room and a heated pool open every day all day!!! and I’m grateful that I am still able enough to move and to enjoy my new home. Even if I’m exhausted and sore and my ‘offs’ are worse than usual because I’ve done so much culling , clearing and sorting in the last 2 months…..I’VE DONE IT !. (surely that deserves another ice cream?)

So take note…. seeing (and looking for ) only the negatives will make you unhappy, depressed and isolated, so every night think of two positives that happened that day and one thing you are grateful for. Write them down if you want ..on paper with pen, pencil, texta or even lipstick o the mirror if you like..anywhere you want OR verbalise them to your pet or even your Teddybear or maybe the invisible man. Make it fun and soon your mood will lift and it’ll become easier.

YES Parkinson’s sucks and YES you are allowed to have a slip and a good cry every now and then.. but when you’ve finished get up, get moving and get those positive vibes ringing out.

cheers Sue. xx