Me:
I hope that I am honestly sincere.
I am loyal.
I am Crazy.
Joyful.
Easily distracted.
In love with Jesus.
I adore Boo and Boo 2
and,
I am thankful for so very, very much.
Especially the limitless grace of God toward me.
I live to write – I write to live.
I am trusting God to finish what He started in me.
I love photography. Especially if I am behind the camera.
I love gardening, when I am able to.
I love watching birds. There’s just something about birds. And butterflies.
I love to paint. Not houses though.
I have danced in the rain. I love the rain. And a beautiful snowfall. And a clear, warm summer day. And autumn’s changing colors and crisp winds.
I love and appreciate my family and the friends God has blessed me with.
I have seen the blessings of Parkinson’s disease and daily experience its curse.
I love See’s Bordeauxs. A lot. And their Almond Clusters. And their Almond Toffee. And…
I have the best kids and husband of 33 years – in the world.
And what can I say about my grandkids? Not enough.
One of my favorite TV shows as a kid was ‘What’s My Line?’ Of course, I also liked The Dating Game and the Partridge Family, so I don’t know what that says about me…
I think (as far as ‘What’s My Line’ goes) it was seeing if I could guess the person’s occupation before the ‘expert’ panel was able to. If I had a ‘line’ for others to guess, it wouldn’t be defined by the fact that I have Parkinson’s disease.
I was misdiagnosed at the age of 32 with Lupus (just goes to prove how these two diseases [and many others] mimic each other). Upon joining forces (and I say ‘forces’ as this is a battle we [those with any chronic illness] are constantly fighting) with my current neurologist over eight years ago (2004). Meeting with him and trusting his wisdom, the diagnosis was corrected to Young Onset Parkinson’s disease. You can read parts of my story here at Parkinson’s Journey.
So – yes, this blog follows my life, to a degree, but mainly it is a collection of my thoughts, on the good days and bad, the happy and the sad. It is a collection from my diagnosis with PD to the current day. It is a collection of what I’ve learned and what I am learning (If I wrote what I still need to learn, I’d have to start another blog… .). It also recently (Feb 2013) has become a joining of two blogs – Parkinson’s Journey and my author site.
It was becoming to hard to keep both blogs going well, which is extremely important to me. So, if you look to the category section, you will find a category entitled, ‘Non PD Articles’. These writings do not focus on PD and are more inspirational, devotional, ‘storyish’ – a variety.
‘They’ say (and I’ve never quite figured out who ‘they’ is) that concocting a mission statement is a good way to maintain a focus in your life endeavors. Parkinson’s Journey has such a statement:
“…to encourage and offer hope
to others walking their path with Parkinson’s disease
(and other chronic illnesses)
and to assure them, they are not alone.”
Encouragement and hope is what my heart’s desire is for Parkinsons Journey, because Parkinson’s Journey is me, walking alongside and reminidng you… you are not alone.
Journeying with you,
Sherri Woodbridge
Sherri, Just stumbled on your PD blog. Since I was diagnosed by a neurologist with PD in late 2009 (had some balance issues then), I have gotten a bit worse. One of the things I’ve noticed is my computer typing–I now have to carefully go over what I just typed for I’m making NUMEROUS typos–guess the fingers don’t work so well anymore. What a nuisance!
I’m planning to give up the guiding at end of this year, and am giving up a long-time hobby–target shooting with black powder Civil War-style guns–I’m a member of the North-South Skirmish Assn.
Thanks,Ken, for leaving a comment. I can relate to the finger frustration. My delete button is literally worn out. The guide job sounds really interesting. You must be a history buff? Why are you giving up the target shooting? Just don’t take anyone with you if you’re shaking really bad…
Just kidding. Are you sure you have to give it up?
Sherri, Sorry about the delay in replying. I’ve since sold off all my CW skirmishing guns and supplies (didn’t want my wife, who knows virtually nothing about them, to be stuck with them after I pass). Still continuing my membership and friendships, tho’. I’m 7o now, have been swallowing lots of antioxidants and don’t have the usual PD tremors yet (thank goodness, tho’ the other symptoms are there and worsening: loss of balance, drooling, smaller writing and trouble signing name, etc.).
Reason I stopped shooting had as much to do with cataract operations I had on my eyes in Jan and Feb, 2012, and great sensitivity to bright light thereafter. Came to find out that goes with PD, too, so I got a double whammy!
Just last nite I asked my webmaster to alter my website to say I am now out of business and referring any future requests to others.
Keep up the good work! KenH
What medicattion has helped with mild depression ?
Thank you
Hi Sally -
I’m sending my response through the comments and to the email that came through in hopes of assuring you receive it. I was put on Lexapro and we originally started at 5mg about four years ago. I am now up to 20mg. It takes the edge off and helps me feel much better mentally and emotionally. I hope that helps. If you have any other questions, concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask. Let me know how it goes…
Hello,
I came across your site doing a google search and it seems to be a useful resource for those with parkinson’s. I was wondering if I can contribute to your blog by writing an article on applying for disability benefits with parkinson’s?
I am contacting your from Social Security Disability Help, an organization that works to promote disability awareness and help individuals navigate the Social Security Disability application process.
Please send me an email at ram@ssd-help.org if this is something that you are interested in.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Ram Meyyappan
Social Security Disability Help