Per-spec-tive: definition; A particular attitude toward or a way regarding something; a point of view. In a recent Washington Post article titled "Having Parkinson's Disease is Nothing to Celebrate" the author Phyllis Richman, a longtime food critic/writer for the Washington Post, writes about suffering from Parkinson's Disease for the last 11 years. In this article Phyllis comments on the Michael J. Fox book, "Lucky Man". She believes Michael feeling that he is a lucky person in life is a bit of a stretch and the book title should have included "As told to Pollyanna".
I have read many of the comments posted on this article on the Washington Post site (http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health/having-parkinsons-disease-is-nothing-to-celebrate/2011/03/16/AFb0HEdF_story.html). Comments range from very critical of Mrs. Richman's comments about Michael J Fox to those who agree with her completely, and some that do not agree, but sympathize with her. In the article, Ms. Richman also points out the great work that Michael J. Fox has done on behalf of the Parkinson's community and the heroic effort put forth through the Michael J. Fox Foundation. I have read many articles, watched many interviews, and read Michael's book, "Always Looking Up". My personal take on his philosophy is that he does not feel that he is lucky for having Parkinson's, but looks to the positive of being able to serve a higher cause, something that seems to have given greater meaning in his life. The diagnosis of Parkinson's or any other disease does not void what you accomplished in your life up to that point or what you do with your life afterwards.
Which side do you take on this argument, "Do you see the glass half full or half empty?" The answer is simple, both. You can't take the side of an argument that really comes down to an individual perspective. Phyllis Richman sees things from the life experiences she has had dealing with this terrible disease. We do not walk in her shoes and none of us can judge how she feels. On the other hand the equal can be said about Michael J. Fox. We have not lived his life. We also do not walk in his shoes and cannot judge how he feels. Those who suffer from this disease only walk the same path, but how we view our individual journey will be different for all of us. I'm still early into this disease. I know things will become more challenging and who knows if my view may change, but I doubt it. We need to spend each day looking for that silver lining, smelling each and every flower, and giving thanks for all the things we can still enjoy.
The great thing Richman's article has done is prompted debate and discussion about our disease. This catalyst has always been the precursor for people taking action to get something done. I hope this brought the Parkinson's community a little closer together and to all my fellow bloggers who see the class half-full, let's see if we can get it topped off by finding the cure… Cheers!
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Mother's Day and Parkinson's Disease
It is that time a year again when sons and daughters celebrate that special person in their lives, their mothers. Moms have a special connection with their children, a bond forged through nine months of living in the same body, the special event coming to fruition finally as the child is born. It is said that "Mother" is the name of God on the lips and hearts of all children. You see this demonstrated many different ways.
At any sporting event when the cameras turn on an athlete, the first thing usually done is a wave of the hand and "Hi, mom." The quickest way to raise the ire of a young man is to simply insult his mom. The tattoo on the arm never says dad, always mom.
My mother and father divorced when I was very young. I was raised by her and my grandmother, essentially having two mother figures in my life. In a way I was doubly blessed. My mom always put myself and my two brothers first, sacrificing so we would never do without, as most moms will do for their children. She made sure that our birthdays and Christmas were special events. We did not have a lot of money, but it always seemed like we did. Every morning when woke up, our clothes were laid out and ready for us to make sure we were dressed nice for school.
I learned to cook from my mom, a fantastic cook who wrote the column in the food section of our local newspaper. My friends always showed up around dinnertime at our house hoping to be invited in for dinner. I recall one day after one of my friends was lucky enough to enjoy one of my mom's home cooked meals, he neglected to say thank you. My mom informed me of this and said if he wanted to be invited back again, he would need to be more courteous. The words "please" and "thank you" were instilled in me a young age.
I also learned to speak fluent Italian from my mother and grandmother as a necessity because my grandmother spoke no English except for a few colorful metaphors that we taught her.
As much as my mom spoiled us, she spoiled her grandchildren even more. Every time my mom would take the kids, I knew I would hear a story about where they ate and what Bebe bought them. Vivi was her nickname, but at my children's young age, they managed to pronounce it Bebe. The name she enjoyed.
I still remember the phone call. Her voice was shaky. I could tell she was holding back tears. "I have cancer." At the young age of 52 my mom passed away, taken away from us too early. I can only imagine if she were still alive today and I would have had to make a phone call to tell her, "Mom, I have Parkinson's Disease." As children whenever we were sick or hurt, we always knew everything would be all right because moms would tell us that it would be. The comfort that our mothers give us is something unique in all the world. Even though my mom is no longer with us, I still get to witness a special bond of motherhood between my wife and our children, and how my mother-in-law is now taking on that role for me.
Many picture angels in the Bible as female characters, but it was pointed out to me that this was a fallacy. I believe that there are no female angels in heaven because they're all here with us -- we just happen to call them mom.
To my mom and grandmother, to my wife and mother-in-law, and to all the moms out there who always tell us it's going be all right, Happy Mother's Day!
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live
At any sporting event when the cameras turn on an athlete, the first thing usually done is a wave of the hand and "Hi, mom." The quickest way to raise the ire of a young man is to simply insult his mom. The tattoo on the arm never says dad, always mom.
My mother and father divorced when I was very young. I was raised by her and my grandmother, essentially having two mother figures in my life. In a way I was doubly blessed. My mom always put myself and my two brothers first, sacrificing so we would never do without, as most moms will do for their children. She made sure that our birthdays and Christmas were special events. We did not have a lot of money, but it always seemed like we did. Every morning when woke up, our clothes were laid out and ready for us to make sure we were dressed nice for school.
I learned to cook from my mom, a fantastic cook who wrote the column in the food section of our local newspaper. My friends always showed up around dinnertime at our house hoping to be invited in for dinner. I recall one day after one of my friends was lucky enough to enjoy one of my mom's home cooked meals, he neglected to say thank you. My mom informed me of this and said if he wanted to be invited back again, he would need to be more courteous. The words "please" and "thank you" were instilled in me a young age.
I also learned to speak fluent Italian from my mother and grandmother as a necessity because my grandmother spoke no English except for a few colorful metaphors that we taught her.
As much as my mom spoiled us, she spoiled her grandchildren even more. Every time my mom would take the kids, I knew I would hear a story about where they ate and what Bebe bought them. Vivi was her nickname, but at my children's young age, they managed to pronounce it Bebe. The name she enjoyed.
I still remember the phone call. Her voice was shaky. I could tell she was holding back tears. "I have cancer." At the young age of 52 my mom passed away, taken away from us too early. I can only imagine if she were still alive today and I would have had to make a phone call to tell her, "Mom, I have Parkinson's Disease." As children whenever we were sick or hurt, we always knew everything would be all right because moms would tell us that it would be. The comfort that our mothers give us is something unique in all the world. Even though my mom is no longer with us, I still get to witness a special bond of motherhood between my wife and our children, and how my mother-in-law is now taking on that role for me.
Many picture angels in the Bible as female characters, but it was pointed out to me that this was a fallacy. I believe that there are no female angels in heaven because they're all here with us -- we just happen to call them mom.
To my mom and grandmother, to my wife and mother-in-law, and to all the moms out there who always tell us it's going be all right, Happy Mother's Day!
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live
Monday, April 18, 2011
One Year Anniversary of My Blog, Move to Live - Beating Parkinson's
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.
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.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Mindset and Parkinson's
"You can do anything if you set your mind to it", the saying goes, but what does that mean? Anything can be done. True want is a very strong force. The 'want to' in someone can achieve great things. A singular personified desire focused on a specific goal by a person can be a true force of nature. Want is preceded by the setting of the mind; that is putting your thoughts into a place, a staging area from which you will go forward.
For instance, what kind of day do you "want" to have? I presume a good one. When you wake up, what is your first thought? Is it positive or negative? If for one week you wrote down what you thought of as you got out of bed, the first thing you programmed in, how you set your mind for the day, what would be on that piece of paper? "I need more sleep." "I am so tired", or "I love the smell of coffee brewing in the morning; that should perk me up", "I hate my job", or "Thank goodness I have a job to go to". "Why me? Why do I have PD", or "What will I do to fight back? How can I help others like me and improve my quality of life?" I think very few of us wake up and put a smile on our faces, but wouldn't it be great if we did? If you fought through all those negative thoughts, and just smiled -- for those of us with Parkinson's who are masking a smile on the inside, one that radiates out of your body -- then shout at the top of your lungs, "I WILL HAVE A GREAT DAY!" Actually, do not shout because everyone else in your house will begin their day by falling out of their beds -- not the way to start the day for them. It would be great to think or say it to yourself.
I set my mind to three components each day. Listen to some music. Rhythmic sounds can help with stress. Laughter and humor have been shown to have both physical and emotional benefits so I find a way to laugh every day. Last but not least, meditation. There is much information coming out on its benefits. Meditation is now part of my daily routine.
Life takes work. You can sit there and hope it comes to you or you can go out and get it.
Every day we set ourselves to task, but the one task we overlook is what kind of day to have. Take care of the things that are in your control and don't dwell on the things that aren't. All we really have is a series of moments that make up our lives. We need to squeeze every ounce of joy we can out of them. One moment we are here, the next we are gone, and in between that, we have a choice of how we live each day. Simple? Yes. Easy to do? No, but you can do anything if you set your mind to it.
Have a great day!
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live.
For instance, what kind of day do you "want" to have? I presume a good one. When you wake up, what is your first thought? Is it positive or negative? If for one week you wrote down what you thought of as you got out of bed, the first thing you programmed in, how you set your mind for the day, what would be on that piece of paper? "I need more sleep." "I am so tired", or "I love the smell of coffee brewing in the morning; that should perk me up", "I hate my job", or "Thank goodness I have a job to go to". "Why me? Why do I have PD", or "What will I do to fight back? How can I help others like me and improve my quality of life?" I think very few of us wake up and put a smile on our faces, but wouldn't it be great if we did? If you fought through all those negative thoughts, and just smiled -- for those of us with Parkinson's who are masking a smile on the inside, one that radiates out of your body -- then shout at the top of your lungs, "I WILL HAVE A GREAT DAY!" Actually, do not shout because everyone else in your house will begin their day by falling out of their beds -- not the way to start the day for them. It would be great to think or say it to yourself.
I set my mind to three components each day. Listen to some music. Rhythmic sounds can help with stress. Laughter and humor have been shown to have both physical and emotional benefits so I find a way to laugh every day. Last but not least, meditation. There is much information coming out on its benefits. Meditation is now part of my daily routine.
Life takes work. You can sit there and hope it comes to you or you can go out and get it.
Every day we set ourselves to task, but the one task we overlook is what kind of day to have. Take care of the things that are in your control and don't dwell on the things that aren't. All we really have is a series of moments that make up our lives. We need to squeeze every ounce of joy we can out of them. One moment we are here, the next we are gone, and in between that, we have a choice of how we live each day. Simple? Yes. Easy to do? No, but you can do anything if you set your mind to it.
Have a great day!
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Staying Connected and Parkinson's
I think it would be easy to start losing connections to things as Parkinson's becomes more challenging. I am losing the connection between me and my body as things progress. I keep reconnecting through physical activity (move to live). I keep my mind sharp by using it in game play and other activities as not to lose the connection between me and my cognitivity, but the thing that I make sure I stay connected to the most is people. We can start to isolate ourselves with Parkinson's. As things become awkward, we start to feel embarrassed. We don't like to be looked at and felt sorry for - our pride and dignity challenged by our disease. Our shell becomes fragile and we start to feel vulnerable so we avoid social situations. We protect ourselves from this by retreating and losing our connections with friends and family.
I am a personal trainer and am still able to train my clients. I was at the gym the other day working out my client and dear friend Cindy when another member came in. She walked near us on her way to the dressing room. We made eye contact, I smiled, and she smiled back. I think eye contact and a smile is a wonderful way to connect with someone. We made another connection a second later when her eyes shifted from my eyes and then to my shaking hand. Smile gone, she glanced back up, then quickly away from me and hurried past. I might just have had a scarlet P on my forehead.
Earlier that same day in the gym I was working out with my training partner Big Mike. As I finished my set on the bench press and sat up, one of the regular members, a powerlifter who I always chat with, said, "I noticed you really steady out when you lift." We had never discussed my PD, only talked about training. The subject never came up. He looked past the shaking and connected to what I was accomplishing. In just a matter of an hour, a positive and a negative.
We are all citizens of the same planet, dividing ourselves with borders like race, religion and politics, fear of what we do not understand. We fail to connect to each other. When we chose to connect with someone, we now feel responsible for them. When we see tragedy befall another country, the devastation of a natural disaster, and we connect to another peoples problem, all of the sudden they are no longer a race or a country, they are human. So it was hard for that young woman to connect with me because we might have a conversation at the gym, she might have to ask me why my hand shakes, and then she might have to care about Parkinson's. That would mean she might feel responsible to help in some way. When we chose not to connect, to isolate ourselves, we eliminate the chance to spread awareness about our disease. We don't allow people to care and if people don't care, we will never find a cure.
We can't lose this connectivity to people. PD is not our identity. It is our cause. I find the strength to battle it multiplied by my wife and children, every family member, every friend, and everyone who looks past the disease and still sees the person. Always remember who you are, stay connected, and stay strong.
I am Pat Younts and I move to live.
I am a personal trainer and am still able to train my clients. I was at the gym the other day working out my client and dear friend Cindy when another member came in. She walked near us on her way to the dressing room. We made eye contact, I smiled, and she smiled back. I think eye contact and a smile is a wonderful way to connect with someone. We made another connection a second later when her eyes shifted from my eyes and then to my shaking hand. Smile gone, she glanced back up, then quickly away from me and hurried past. I might just have had a scarlet P on my forehead.
Earlier that same day in the gym I was working out with my training partner Big Mike. As I finished my set on the bench press and sat up, one of the regular members, a powerlifter who I always chat with, said, "I noticed you really steady out when you lift." We had never discussed my PD, only talked about training. The subject never came up. He looked past the shaking and connected to what I was accomplishing. In just a matter of an hour, a positive and a negative.
We are all citizens of the same planet, dividing ourselves with borders like race, religion and politics, fear of what we do not understand. We fail to connect to each other. When we chose to connect with someone, we now feel responsible for them. When we see tragedy befall another country, the devastation of a natural disaster, and we connect to another peoples problem, all of the sudden they are no longer a race or a country, they are human. So it was hard for that young woman to connect with me because we might have a conversation at the gym, she might have to ask me why my hand shakes, and then she might have to care about Parkinson's. That would mean she might feel responsible to help in some way. When we chose not to connect, to isolate ourselves, we eliminate the chance to spread awareness about our disease. We don't allow people to care and if people don't care, we will never find a cure.
We can't lose this connectivity to people. PD is not our identity. It is our cause. I find the strength to battle it multiplied by my wife and children, every family member, every friend, and everyone who looks past the disease and still sees the person. Always remember who you are, stay connected, and stay strong.
I am Pat Younts and I move to live.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A Flat Tire and Parkinson's
I left the gym Saturday morning after Big Mike and I finished our work out -- a great start to the day or so I thought. On my way out waiting for the traffic light to turn green a young woman pulled up beside me and motioned me to roll my window down. I was prepared to let her down gently by telling her I was happily married. Okay, I still have some ego left. More likely I thought she needed directions. Instead she said, "Your rear tire is almost flat. Didn't you feel it shaking?" This was one of those moments in life when someone gives a person with PD an opportunity to really have fun. I could have said, "My car shakes all the time when I'm in it" or "Yes, I was going to talk to my neurologist about it" or "It's not the tire. It's just me." As all these things raced through my head, I fought back the urge and thanked her for letting me know. I called Big Mike who came to the rescue as he often does and I got home safe and sound. Now when I drive, I always think, "Do I have a flat tire?"
I'm Pat Younts and I move to live.
I'm Pat Younts and I move to live.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
What am I worth if I have Parkinson's?
From time to time we all tend to take inventory of our lives, a self-audit of ourselves to somehow try to determine what our worth is. We all have different perspectives on what is valuable; for some a big house, lots of money, and the best toys give a sense of worth. Being famous and adored by strangers gives celebrities a feeling of importance and accomplishment. Some athletes at the top of their game validate who they are by how well they play their sport and are rewarded with big contracts that tell them you are worth that much to our team. Perspective is all it really is. Your view of things and how it makes you feel. Now there is nothing wrong with being famous or rich. There are a lot of very grounded rich and famous people who keep the trappings of wealth in proper perspective. There is a great equalizer in life that for the most part brings everyone to the same level. If you are rich and you are sick, you are sick. If you are famous and sick, you are sick. If you have a gold medal and are sick, you are sick.
Being sick can devalue everything you have in an instant and it also increases the value of other things in that same instant. Your perspective of what is valuable is now totally different. The expensive car you drive is a nice way to get to all of your doctors appointments. The big house you live in offers a great place to be sick in. And all your fans now write you "hope you get well soon" letters and not loved your last movie, CD or congratulations on winning the big game. Now that the stuff you have acquired, all the pretty things that surround you that once shined have dulled, and things you had not noticed before, now shine brighter, you find out what you truly have.
The saying goes, "if you have your health, you have everything." I do not believe that. If you are loved and you know that you are, then you have everything. The love of your spouse, children, family and friends and the support that they give you when you are in need is how you know your true worth. To be healthy and unloved, to have possessions and no one who cares about you is having nothing at all. It would be easy to think that because I have Parkinson's my self worth would be low. After all a "currently" incurable disease can make a person feel a little devalued. Personally, I have never felt more valued than I do now because of the love and support of my wife, children, family and friends. I am one of the richest men on the planet because I am loved, I have a cause, a purpose in my life -- to see this disease beaten -- so my stock has never been higher. I choose not to sit back, but to join the fight so I have never felt more important.
We may be challenged because of Parkinson's, but we still matter. How we choose to take on this adversity as individuals will reveal our true worth. Rise up, do not shrink. In everything you do, chose to live your life richly by doing for others, invest in kindness, count your friends, not your dollars. In the end if you are remembered for your house, your cars and money and not the people who loved you and how you made the world a better place, you will have left this life a pauper.
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live.
Being sick can devalue everything you have in an instant and it also increases the value of other things in that same instant. Your perspective of what is valuable is now totally different. The expensive car you drive is a nice way to get to all of your doctors appointments. The big house you live in offers a great place to be sick in. And all your fans now write you "hope you get well soon" letters and not loved your last movie, CD or congratulations on winning the big game. Now that the stuff you have acquired, all the pretty things that surround you that once shined have dulled, and things you had not noticed before, now shine brighter, you find out what you truly have.
The saying goes, "if you have your health, you have everything." I do not believe that. If you are loved and you know that you are, then you have everything. The love of your spouse, children, family and friends and the support that they give you when you are in need is how you know your true worth. To be healthy and unloved, to have possessions and no one who cares about you is having nothing at all. It would be easy to think that because I have Parkinson's my self worth would be low. After all a "currently" incurable disease can make a person feel a little devalued. Personally, I have never felt more valued than I do now because of the love and support of my wife, children, family and friends. I am one of the richest men on the planet because I am loved, I have a cause, a purpose in my life -- to see this disease beaten -- so my stock has never been higher. I choose not to sit back, but to join the fight so I have never felt more important.
We may be challenged because of Parkinson's, but we still matter. How we choose to take on this adversity as individuals will reveal our true worth. Rise up, do not shrink. In everything you do, chose to live your life richly by doing for others, invest in kindness, count your friends, not your dollars. In the end if you are remembered for your house, your cars and money and not the people who loved you and how you made the world a better place, you will have left this life a pauper.
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live.
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