Beating the Odds
Recently, I found myself prone on the sidewalk at Columbus and 75th street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. As I was rushing to a hair appointment, a false sense of confidence in my gait led me to trip over my own feet. It happened so quickly. I stood up immediately and assessed. I was ok aside from a sharp stinging on my right elbow and pinky finger. I looked around to see if anyone was watching. Nobody looked at me or skipped a beat.
While the external damage was mild (thank goodness), the internal scars ran deep. I cling to my track record of just a few minor falls in my 13 years since diagnosis. I feel like I’m beating the odds. Sometimes during “on” periods, I even forget that I have Parkinson’s for the moment. My intimate “meeting with the cement” very abruptly humbled me to the reality of my formidable companion. Parkinson’s has indeed settled in and made itself comfortable.
If nothing else, this incident served to reinvigorate me. I’m coming off a busy August/September, having moved our first born to freshman year of college and immediately after moved apartments, celebrated my nephew’s wedding and spent a week with my 94 year-old mother. I have found ways to work in self-care but have been largely off my routine. Having spent the summer in Amagansett, I also need to create a new routine for the city. Categories are physical activity (Pelaton, boxing, yoga and walking), spirituality (meditation), writing (journaling and blogs), connection (support group and reaching out to a friend) and behavioral (lower screen time, do something out of my comfort zone, smile more). I find that having specific goals taken one at a time is when I am most successful. I will report back on how I’m doing in the coming months.
About Miriam
I share my personal stories to offer a glimpse into what it is like to live with Young Onset Parkinson’s, revealing honest and intimate reflections. Hearing other people’s stories can be a lifeline for many of us living with this neurodegenerative disease. I hope to inspire and educate people living with Parkinson’s and to create community through shared experiences.