Sometimes it's not "just" psychological...

[Steve J.]

I want to thank you for this.

For the first time yesterday, I took my partner out for a walk in the park in a wheelchair. For every good and spirited reason under the sun he has eschewed yielding to such aids but for a couple of months he has been in a bad way. Is this a phase? Is it progression? It is currently impossible to tell. These dark times are savage insights into the real differences between TMS and serious disorders. (Parkinson's is due to nerve death in the substantia nigra. Symptoms only show when the resulting dopamine levels drop to around 20-30%.)

The park was full of people. We noticed an immediate difference. When my boy walks through the park oftentimes people stare, or adolescents shout insults, or dogs run up and say hello. In the wheelchair he donned a cloak of invisibility. No one looked, they pointedly avoided our eyes. They gave us a wide berth as if I were talking ebola itself for a friendly stroll.

These social reactions are also progressions. Humans are so terrified of this level of ill-health and the resonance of where it leads that they avoid it. Yesterday was just one more sorry example and experience of this. I think the rash suggestion that anything like Parkinson's is TMS is part of this avoidance, part of making the horror small, manageable, in some way ok.

But it isn't. It really isn't.
I have watched Parkinson's destroy the man I love. It has taken his genius, his voice, his looks, his functioning...it has left his humour, astonishingly, and a tremendous amount of courage. Sometimes it feels like a very, very long and very, very slow goodbye.

I have come to greatly appreciate people who compassionately see this and quietly support us both.

We are here for you, plum. You and your partner are brave and beautiful. No disease can take that away.

 

[Ellen]

@plum we are all enriched by your presence on this Forum. You are loved and loving.....

 

[DianeRadvanski]

I want to thank you for this.

For the first time yesterday, I took my partner out for a walk in the park in a wheelchair. For every good and spirited reason under the sun he has eschewed yielding to such aids but for a couple of months he has been in a bad way. Is this a phase? Is it progression? It is currently impossible to tell. These dark times are savage insights into the real differences between TMS and serious disorders. (Parkinson's is due to nerve death in the substantia nigra. Symptoms only show when the resulting dopamine levels drop to around 20-30%.)

The park was full of people. We noticed an immediate difference. When my boy walks through the park oftentimes people stare, or adolescents shout insults, or dogs run up and say hello. In the wheelchair he donned a cloak of invisibility. No one looked, they pointedly avoided our eyes. They gave us a wide berth as if I were talking ebola itself for a friendly stroll.

These social reactions are also progressions. Humans are so terrified of this level of ill-health and the resonance of where it leads that they avoid it. Yesterday was just one more sorry example and experience of this. I think the rash suggestion that anything like Parkinson's is TMS is part of this avoidance, part of making the horror small, manageable, in some way ok.

But it isn't. It really isn't.
I have watched Parkinson's destroy the man I love. It has taken his genius, his voice, his looks, his functioning...it has left his humour, astonishingly, and a tremendous amount of courage. Sometimes it feels like a very, very long and very, very slow goodbye.

I have come to greatly appreciate people who compassionately see this and quietly support us both.

May God Bless both you and your husband for your peristence, perserverance and ability to make.the best of the situation and seek the right combo of.treatments unique to his case. Like u I don't believe people should rush right in and dismiss medical causes. It's not an issue of loyalty to the TMS approach and it shouldn't have to come down to being forced to choose sides between mediCal vs naturopath approaches. Often both are complementary and any good MD will know.this as well aND not feel threatend by seeking multiple speciaists. The patient and even caregiver are the ones whose opinions matter most and shouldnt have to choose trams TMS all in it or NOT. If only health issues were that simple. Wishing You both prayers for continued strength, hope, brighter days and cherished moments of remission even if slight. God Bless'

 

[plum]

May God Bless both you and your husband for your peristence, perserverance and ability to make.the best of the situation and seek the right combo of.treatments unique to his case. Like u I don't believe people should rush right in and dismiss medical causes. It's not an issue of loyalty to the TMS approach and it shouldn't have to come down to being forced to choose sides between mediCal vs naturopath approaches. Often both are complementary and any good MD will know.this as well aND not feel threatend by seeking multiple speciaists. The patient and even caregiver are the ones whose opinions matter most and shouldnt have to choose trams TMS all in it or NOT. If only health issues were that simple. Wishing You both prayers for continued strength, hope, brighter days and cherished moments of remission even if slight. God Bless'

Diane, many thanks for these words. Kind words make such a difference.

With my blessings and love xxx