Attitude is everything

Good Morning Brave Friends and Parkinson’s WarriorsRecently Parkinson's NSW published an article on the Five Stages of Parkinson's. Although we are all unique, apparently Parkinson's Disease does follow a broad pattern that has been divided into five typical stages known as the Hoehn and Yahr scale. I understand that this may be helpful for physicians, but use of this scale outside of this has always, to be honest, really irked me. I have no wish to be pigeon-holed and placed in a box. 

Some comments on the Parkinson's NSW facebook page show I am not alone. Jen wrote "As a person with PD , I am not a fan of stages " . I was once asked what stage I was at on this scale by a carer of a lovely and, might I add, very tolerant lady with Parkinson's. When I replied "I don't have any idea! " he proceeded to tell me! He was by no means qualified. Why did he think it was his business to tell me and that I needed or wanted to know? My Neurologist had never discussed these stages with me and I am pleased to say, if he was using them, he knew better than to share this with me!I understand that this may be a valuable diagnostic medical tool but can see no legitimate reason for having this information, outside this narrow professional use, and even then, I believe, it should be used with great caution. 

I feel there is a real danger of locking someone into that stage in your mind or theirs and not seeing their improvements, expecting them to have the capability of a certain stage , no longer viewing them as entirely unique and missing that they having a great deal more to offer beyond these limiting levels. WE ARE ALL UNIQUE! We want to be valued as such. We may be living with this disease but we are not this illness. Yes, we share a huge variety of degrees of symptoms, but this is not who we are. I am not a Stage 3 person ! Please look beyond this illness and the so called stages. When you do, like me, you will discover a vast richness, a wonderful group of caring, sensitive, empathetic, courageous, talented, diverse people from many different walks of life all impacted by Parkinson's to varying degrees. This is who we are. We are individuals. 

Acceptance of such labels overlooks the power one has to take control of our illness, rather than allowing it to control us. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker. 

To believe you have the power is a beginning. When necessary, I try to be satisfied with small steps as I remind myself and others to value my abilities. Please help us to foster and progress these, to consider how we can improve our symptoms to allow us to do what we value most. Please understand those things that are the core of us and make our life precious and help us to navigate our illness to enable us to continue to participate in those precious things that are so vital to us. Please see our massive levels of courage as we face each day . 

We are not just a group of people who live with Parkinson's Disease and who have reached a certain stage. "Your illness does not define you. Your strength and courage does,. " ~ Anon. I know that many of you already are going into this battle every day. I take my hats off to you as you become silent warriors, determined to go beyond these labels and limits others may try to place on you. 

I have a quiet admiration as you step outside your comfort zone and refuse to give in. Each one of you inspires me and I am so very proud to be part if this gentle army! If you have yet to join us, here is a tip to get you started. One way to regain the upper hand over your circumstances is to develop a positive attitude. "ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING, so pick a good one!" Wayne Dyer.