And on this World Parkinson Awareness Day, this opened today. A red tulip in my front yard opened today. Reminds me that having and living with Parkinson’s as I do that my focus must be in the present moment. Though my symptoms are managed now with medication, I realize that this is my normal now. You cannot see the impact of setting too long, and muscles and nerves take a time to respond. This is a part of everyday living, my life.

There is still no cure. It may take time to fully assess the impact of changes medical research has made in response to other mandates. There is support between those who live with and through the disease. Families see the nuanced changes in family members with Parkinson’s. And still we live our lives, each day and every hour with hope that there will be progress identifying a cure.

Though the news has not mentioned this as Parkinson’s
Awareness Month, I will be an advocate. As no elected official, from Mayor, City Council, County Council, State Representative or State Senator, and even the Governor mention nothing, I will speak out. Even still, the local media outlets from the local newspaper to the radio stations to broadcast televisions have not written or spoken a word about the impact of Parkinson’s in the community, I will stand up.

It is my choice to speak out, to speak up and most importantly to show up and boldly declare that even though my voice may quiet, my gait may be unsteady I will not give up. I will live!