“How do we wrestle with this beast? Living with an incurable disease like Parkinson’s is very different from living with a terminal illness. This is a disease you’ll live with for a very long time. You really have to make peace with it” (Connie Carpenter-Phinney)

I have very quickly learned that many people feel compelled to offer helpful suggestions when they hear that I have Parkinson’s Disease.

“Have you tried CBD oil?”

“Have you tried acupuncture?”

“Have you tried boxing?”

The list of suggestions is lengthy and although at times, it can be frustrating to hear repetitive offers to read the latest research or try the latest ‘fix,’ I never dissuade anyone from trying to help. Because really, that is all they want to do. They see you suffering and they want to bring you some relief, comfort, and peace.

So my usual response is; “I’ll try anything!”

And I do try everything. Even when I am somewhat skeptical, I will give it a go. Because in the end, I’ve got this disease that isn’t going anywhere and if there is something I can do that has a possibility of bringing me relief, even if it is only temporary, it’s certainly worth a try. I will do anything to slow this train down.

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to attend a one-day conference called The Victory Summit put on by the Davis Phinney Foundation. At this conference, there were multiple presentations on many different strategies to cope with PD ranging from meditation to medication to alternative therapies, to dancing/singing etc. If you ever have a chance to get to one of their conferences – GO! (and it’s free!). Or visit their website for loads of articles, podcasts, and videos on how to live well.

“How do we wrestle with this beast? Living with an incurable disease like Parkinson’s is very different from living with a terminal illness. This is a disease you’re going to live with for a very long time. You really have to make peace with it” (Connie Carpenter-Phinney)

I will suggest that if you are feeling tired, sore, stiff, alone, shaky, dizzy, weak, etc., that you try something to feel better and improve