Parkinson’s

Time has been what most people want to know. So do l.

I realized in 2016 I was shaking from what I believe was exhaustion. I had illustrated about forty children’s books in less than ten years. I’d given away about thirty thousand poster drawings in schools. Thousands of drawings I’d created for children’s best sketchbooks. Plus over forty personal sketchbooks had been completed in this time.

My hand must be tired. Why were both hands trembling then?

Three years of tests, prescriptions, scans, and I heard, “You have early onset Parkinson’s Disease.”

What! I’m in my forties and moving forward. Finally, I found a career I enjoyed. Now I would have to plan an exit from that career. What I didn’t realize was this disease has its own plan.

By 2019, I rarely smiled in social media posts, let alone in life. Was I unhappy? No.

I went from about five, 200 page sketchbooks a year to one personal sketchbook since then. Did I burn out on drawing? No.

I rarely slept, but couldn’t get out of bed from depression. Was I sad about the diagnosis? No.

I’m anti medication unless it was needed. Nothing has improved from the day my family said, “You look mad all the time.” Was I mad? No.

I have a disease that makes me not me.

I read many books on what to expect. “Navigating Life with Parkinson’s Disease” became my best resource. I’m spot on with my attitude, relationships, sex, and physical needs. The timing was off from what I expected. My journey has been slower right now. But that can change. Every person’s journey has been different.

I hope this helps someone. All I can say about this new life, Joy has been missed most.  I do receive joy from life, however not the way I did in the past.

No one has saved a Parkinson’s  patient’s life. They can only choose to become a part of their journey.