No longer a beginner, I just “welcomed” my first newcomer to the Young Onset Parkinson’s team. I am giving advice that I received two years ago, but with my own style.
Don't Be Passive with Parkinson's
1) Read, Parkinson's Disease (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)William J. Weiner, Lisa M. Shulman, Anthony E. Lang
2) Serve in simultaneous roles as coach, principal
player, cheering section, and strategist. Remember that PD impacts your
family too! You need to be positive and know that depression is part of the
game plan.
3) Be purposeful; resistance is not an accident. Benchmark your
abilities now, plan out what you want work on in 2014, and measure again a
year from now. Be multi-dimensional; measure your ability across several areas, e.g.
spiritual growth, physical, finance, work, family, relationships, aspirations
4) YOPD for you is different than for someone who gets PD
later in life. Plan on being very active. Anecdotally, I believe
that the training has helped me greatly to resist PD so I recommend lots of
exercise to others with PD.Maintain Balance
5) One additional
goal is to maintain balance (pun intended). Too much
emphasis in one dimension such as physical fitness, while a priority, will
detract from finances / work, or relationships. Time management is a key.
Adapt
6) Parkinson's has blessed my right dominant side with micrographia, cramped handwriting or the progression to very small handwriting. The first sample to the left is that of an average person's handwriting. The second is mine on a good day.
The IPad tablet has saved me.
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