There’s been a lot of talk lately amongst some of the Parkinson’s community about climbing mountains. Recently, a group of people, which included our own Judy, climbed Mt. Washington in New Hampshire in order to raise funds and awareness in an effort to find a cure for both PD and Alzheimer’s disease. You have to view her video of her experience on how the climb went. You’ll be so very encouraged, inspired, and touched—guaranteed. (Go to Judy’s Mt Washington )
Yesterday, I received a post comment from a 29-year-old young woman, by the name of Brandi Roman, who has had PD since the age of 25. She has just recently finished climbing her own mountain in an effort to bring awareness to the PD cause. She and some others together climbed the highest mountain in her home state of Montana—12,807 feet of a mountain called Granite Peak. You can check out http://www.summit4parkinsons.com/wordpress/.
What motivates people to do stuff like this? First, you have to see beyond yourself—more than just feeling better merely for your sake—you have to want it for all mankind. Second, you have made a conscious decision to stand and fight, no matter what. You have decided that whatever disease you have, it doesn’t have you—you’re still in control and calling the shots. You’re not giving up.
Brandi’s mountain was 12,000+ tall in Montana. Judy’s mountain was Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. We who live with a chronic disease are all climbing mountains, but they may take a different form than steep peaks and rocky terrain. Your mountain may be walking one lap of a football field for a fundraiser or forcing yourself to walk a little further today than yesterday. It may be joining a support group and getting out and meeting people or just accepting the fact that you have this disease itself.
All through life, we will come to mountain after mountain along our paths. No path is without its challenges and mountains are a part of those challenges. Piles and heaps of ‘stuff’ which we must determine to climb over or just be content to stay where we are. We know if we climb, it will be steep and tiring. We may be gasping for air. But in the climb, somewhere deep down inside of you takes over—something you didn’t know you had and you push yourself to keep going. You keep fighting the urge to quit until you finally reach the top. And when you take that last step, you see why you fought so hard and pushed so long to get there. The view is breathtaking. It is incredible, leaving you speechless—unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
That is what happens when you climb the mountains and press on until you reach the top—you stand in awe of what you have accomplished, what you never thought you could do. You see what you’re made of and so do those who are watching you.
Your largest mountain may be the disease itself. If so, take one step at a time and push on. Fight for your life, don’t give up, and don’t give in. Your mountain may be taking care of someone you love who has a chronic or terminal disease or illness. Take one moment, one day at a time and take time for you. One of your mountains may be stepping out of your fear zone and meeting some other people who are climbing the PD mountain. Do it. You won’t be climbing alone and when one of you grows weary and wants to quit, the others will help him fight his way to the top, just as Judy and Jeanette did for each other on Mt. Washington.
“…if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Start climbing that mountain or make it move out of your way. Nothing is impossible, especially when someone is climbing with you.
There are three words in the English language that many people with Parkinson’s disease fear. Three little words. Three little words that can drive a person crazy. Three little words that can cause a person to feel desperate. Three little words that can destroy.
