Ann S.

I’m not as sharp as I used to be. Part of it is getting old and part of it is my Parkinson's.
               
​I was in my sixties when I came down with it. I played Bridge. My right hand shook on occasion. I believe that was it. It was such a long time ago.
 
I tried to hide it when I played bridge. A lady told me the other day, she couldn't tell in the beginning. I hid it for a long time. I was ashamed of it. I thought I had to have caused it.
 
The worst symptoms now are the tremors. The shaking comes across me at any time. The tremors shake so hard, it causes me pain. And freezing where I can't move. And I have trouble with my voice ... and walking. Parkinson's has worked its way into my legs.
 
The progression started in the arm, it worked to my waist, to my right foot, to my right side. The progression's now moved into my left leg, too. I can't walk any distance. And I've taken a few falls. so I don’t have the confidence to walk on my own.
 
Not many diseases let you live this long. When I think of pancreatic cancer, a friend of mine that I sat next to at bridge came down with it. It's a bad disease, too.
 
I face the future with hope that there will be a cure for this disease. I don't keep it a secret now.