Union Kentucky, Johnson
City Tennessee, Oshawa Ontario, Kodak Tennessee, Edgewood
Kentucky. Peg, Carol, Patti, Brenda, Chosh, Ron, Carl and
Chris, (Cave Boy, Knife Boy and Tekkie Boy).
Seemingly random names and places that that may not appear to
have a lot in common but they are in fact closely linked to
each others and to a network of support. In each location
lives one of the members of PLWP and their family. One member
of each of those families lives with Parkinson’s Disease and
last week they all met up to share some good times. They
talked, lived everyday life (with a few twists), had fun, and
were serious together. Parkinson’s Disease was not the main
topic of conversation, but it was ever present – a common
thread and adversary. No one in our little group was untouched
by the disease. Each of us experienced in our own way a week
of unique caring,
understanding and learning that can only be provided by
sharing times with those who are fighting the same war. We
also had a very good time.
Our holiday together in Gatlinburg is just a tiny chunk of the
story of connections that arose through People Living With
Parkinsons (PLWP) and friendships forged as a result of what
we all thought of as totally negative disease process. Each
new relationship has led to a growth in our circle of support
and a corresponding increase in our knowledge of how to live
well (or at least as well as we can) with this disease. The
week before last some of our group and others connected for
another gathering in Illinois. The web of interconnected
relationships becomes larger with each event. Upcoming are
golf tournaments, super walks and dances – all really just
excuses to get together.
When we first arrived on the web and found PLWP, friends and
relatives were concerned that we would connect with the
“wrong types” of people. Our instincts told us otherwise
and we’re glad we followed them. We have met many people,
some who have become close friends and very few of the
"other" sort. We found support and information and
learned to turn some of those big negatives into life
challenges ... Expanding our horizons keeps us in better shape
to deal with the disease prgression. Nobody likes having
Parkinsons, but having someone with whom to share these
experiences makes a big difference.
