I'm Not A Parkinson's Disease Expert But....
I've been in the Parkinson's Disease world for more than three years officially. There were signs of it for a couple of years before the diagnosis. I've also been doing research on the topic for a long time, too.
But....I'm not an expert on Parkinson's...far from it. You'd never know that when you hear the amount and type of questions I get about the subject.
It's tough to be an expert on PD. There are so many symptoms and everyone's case is very different. Trust me when I tell you that we all aren't like Michael J. Fox or Muhammad Ali.
In the three years I've been writing this blog, some major celebrities have joined or sadly left the Parkinson's world.
Linda Ronstadt. Bob Hoskins. Kirk Gibson. Robin Williams.
When the news breaks, it's just a matter of minutes before I get a call, text or email. "Did you hear about so & so?" "What do you think about so & so?" "Are you surprised? How does this affect you?"
The answers are always the same: Yes, I've heard I'm hurt and sad someone else has to go through this. I'm surprised but it really doesn't affect my life. I don't know Linda or Kirk or fill in the blank.
The only thing that surprises me is the calls aren't from Lester Holt or any other news organization (btw...if you're reading this I'm always available) asking for comments!
That brings us to three weeks ago. Maurice White died. White was one of the founders of the band Earth, Wind and Fire. It was complications from Parkinson's.
Let the questions begin....the answers, too.
Yes, I knew about White. I even wrote about him a couple of years ago. Yes, I'm sad that PD caused his death at the relatively young age of 74. And, no it really doesn't affect me but....Maurice White had his first Parkinson's symptoms in 1987. He lived with PD for twenty-nine years...it's a good long run. As I said earlier, I'm about five years into this. Would I take twenty-four more years? ABSOLUTELY!!!!
That would make me 87 years old...pretty, pretty good....especially if the disease stays this way.
So I'm ready for the next one...and there will be a next one. I have the answers prepared...even if Lester calls.
This is the first time I've written about Parkinson's this year. It won't be the last..far from it. You can read more of my PD pieces here
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