The year has gone by quickly since I first started my blog. As a matter of fact, it was one year ago today that I hit the publish post button. I remember before my diagnosis hearing people talk about blogging. I asked my wife exactly what a blog was. Being more web savvy than me, she explained it was a kind of journal that people could read online. I didn't quite understand why people would want to read on the web about someone they didn't know. I also didn't get Facebook, never looked at You Tube, and what is a Twitter? Then the diagnosis came and my fear or flight response kicked in. I chose fight. Having that glass half full, the sun will come up tomorrow kind of attitude, I might be able to help others while at the same time finding a purpose in my life to see Parkinson's and all neurological diseases wiped from the face of the earth.
I now know how powerful of a tool social media can be. It can bring together people from around the world who suffer from PD, providing a place where our voices can be heard, where we can find support for each other, and where we can spread awareness to our cause. As we form a chain linking our blogs and web sites together, supporting each other, we become stronger as a Parkinson's community as each new link is added. We are all part of the same family now brought together by this disease. Each newly diagnosed person joins our ranks. Our hearts go out to them. We know the challenges they and their families will face and at the same time they know they are not alone in this fight because of the bloggers, tweeters, facebookers, web sites, and all forms of social media to help support them in this battle. I didn't get it a year ago. I do get it now. I would like to say thank you to those wonderful minds who conceived the idea of social media, giving me and others like me a voice.
If you have a blog that pertains to PD or any neurological problem, or you have linked me to your site and I have not reciprocated, please let me know. I would be happy to put your link on my blog, Remember there are a thousand ways to communicate the same thing. We all hear things differently, but just one of those voices resonates with someone and it can give hope and comfort. We can't let that opportunity pass us by.
I am Pat Younts and I Move to Live.
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Parkinson's and a Promise
Over the Christmas holidays my wife and I were shopping in our local Costco and it just so happened that their seasonal items were on displ...
Hi Pat
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, I will read more. My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's last year. He's been incredibly strong and determined, I am very proud of him. I turned to blogging as a way of writing out my feelings. What I found was that it enabled me to come up with some vaguely logical answers to my own situation.
A wonderful bonus has been having listening and caring community who understand and have helped guide me. They've been inspirational. And you're right, I've felt less alone.
I must now go and search out this 'Fingers to Brain' exercise that John has commented about.
Thanks, Pat. Keep up the great work.
MrsParkinsons.
Howdy, Pat,
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice blog. Congratulations to you!
I’m a friend and new care-provider for a neighbor with Parkinson’s, and am in the process of learning all I can.
I’ve discovered that the blogs I’ve found, like yours, are the best sources of real, useful information for someone like me. Thank you very much for your contributions to my education!
May I share another that I like? http://parkinsonsand5htp.blogspot.com. The author’s name is John, and he seems like a fountain of information and inspiration.
Thanks again,
Charlotte
www.parkinson.org/superstars
ReplyDeleteSomeone should nominate you!