Life with someone who has Parkinson’s Disease can be confusing, it can be frustrating and it can be overwhelming. It is no wonder that I feel like I am failing at times. I am unsure about what I am supposed to do or how to get it done. I am up against an adversary (PD) who holds all the cards in a game I cannot possibly win as I struggle to help my husband live a full and productive life.

It is easy to beat myself up and accept blame for what is going wrong. My husband isn’t exercising, I need to encourage him more. My husband isn’t eating right, I need to provide the correct diet. He isn’t socializing, I need to make more opportunities for him to be with other people. I like to think that it’s all my responsibility and my fault when things go haywire. I forget that I did not give him PD and that I cannot take it away no matter what I do.

Our reality is that I do my very best and still things outside my control will shape the outcome of our days. He may be too fatigued to exercise or maybe he doesn’t like the healthy foods I put in front of him. Instead of being critical of my work, I need to be compassionate with myself as I remember all that I am doing to support him in his journey. I need to understand and accept that as long as I face each challenge with a loving heart, it will always be enough.