When I anticipate some upcoming event or life change, it is usually based on my perception of what it should look like which may or may not be real. I can only work from what I know as I consider what is coming. When my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, I immediately started looking for the same signs and symptoms my father had shown. I was expecting the tremors, followed by freezing, and accompanied by dementia. I was terrified of what this diagnosis could mean for us.

Thank goodness we had a very good neurologist who assured us that everyone’s journey with this disease is unique and we shouldn’t base our future on anyone else’s experiences. As they say, “when you’ve seen one person with Parkinson’s, you’ve seen one person with Parkinson’s”. He and his Nurse Practitioner helped us work through those early years and gave us information about resources and supports that would help us prepare for what might come instead of fearing what we thought would come.

Now, when I start to get anxious or have concerns about something happening within our PD world, I turn to my support group or to the many resources on-line. I look for good information so that I can make positive preparations for anything that our future might bring. No matter which direction this diagnosis takes us, we will be informed, prepared and ready to face it together.

For a good perspective on what a PD diagnosis can mean, check out this Symptom Map from the Me over PD website.