My husband is diagnosed with a chronic and progressive disease, things are changing and not for the better which is something I have had to accept. Sometimes we see the changes coming and other times they come on so slowly that we don’t realize they have happened. I suddenly find myself doing more for him and wonder why.

One change we have had to face involves social interactions with other people. My husband is an intelligent man and a great listener, which was something that drew me to him in the first place. He has always been able to hold down a conversation and has a sharp wit. As his illness takes its course, he is more likely to withdraw from speaking when we are out with friends and instead turns to me to respond for him. He still has so much to offer but the physical process of speech has slowed so that by the time he forms the words and gets them out, the group is off on another thought. It has become much easier for him to sit and observe than to be an active participant. We have found that conversations work much better if we limit ourselves to smaller groups that take the time to welcome all voices. We also go out with our friends in the PD community as often as possible because they are much more understanding and many share in his struggles.

There are times when I worry about what additional changes will come and what challenges we will face. I know that the only thing that slows the progression is exercise and so we box, we move, we sing and talk and even yell at times. We will keep on fighting back because it is the only thing we know to do and we will keep on growing as each new challenge comes our way.