We had only been married 5 or 6 years when my husband’s hands started to tremor. We learned that it was Parkinson’s Disease just after our 9^th anniversary and for the 10 years since it often seems like we have a third party in our marriage. Our relationship has had to adapt to accommodate his diagnosis because the tremors and slowness are always there. I also know that the man I fell in love with is always there even though sometimes he is hard to see.

This diagnosis has also changed our outside relationships. My husband was active in the community with volunteering and work that he loved. Those activities have gone by the wayside. Now when we go out, I take the lead in most conversations and he is happy to sit quietly as an observer. Friends we used to spend time with understand, yet still they appear to be not quite sure how to connect with us. I have become the face of “us” in the community, handling most of our interactions as best I can.

As my husband’s symptoms progress, we are developing new relationships within the PD community. We connect with others who share the diagnosis and can relate to what we are going through. It is wonderful having a group of friends where we feel respected and valued, people who can see beyond the diagnosis and understand what is hiding within. They know and understand the challenges as we all move forward in our individual battles with PD.