There are some things that we simply cannot do anymore thanks to Parkinson’s Disease. Our dancing days are probably over and no more afternoon hikes. I miss those activities, and I know my husband does too, so I am looking for ways to bring them back. I am not sure it is going to work for everything, but perhaps with some minor modifications?

We used to enjoy visiting local wineries for dinner, music and dancing. Thanks to his diagnosis, my husband is no longer the dancer he used to be nor does he like to drink wine. He likes the music but cannot compete to maintain a conversation. Our solution is to try for quieter events or venues and to sit in the back away from the main flow. We make sure they offer soft drinks as well as alcoholic beverages and then, when the dancing starts, I dance next to him at our table or maybe we can share a slow one together.

We are struggling to find a compromise for the hiking. I have taken walks around the neighborhood on my own but I always feel guilty knowing that he would like to be out there too. We have walking sticks that we both use and my husband can go about a quarter of a mile before he wears out. I have suggested that we go somewhere that he can sit and read while I walk, perhaps along the shore of the river, we are still in the discussion stages.

His diagnosis of PD can restrict our lives as it presents with new challenges or it can open us up to new opportunities. The key is to communicate about what I want to do and what might be possible. I have always liked an open-door policy and look forward to finding out just where it will take us.