Christine C.
I was diagnosed in 2012, I was 37.
I’m a nurse and I recently took a new position with the Neuroscience Institute in hopes that I could help other people with problems similar to mine.
I felt hopeless in the beginning. Overwhelmed. I think it limited me more than it should have. Mentally I hit a wall. I had hoped at one point it was cancer because then that could be excised, we could move on and I could get my life back. But it wasn't that easy and despite the fact my mom has Parkinson's and I’m a nurse I never thought I had it, it didn't cross my mind. I think my age limited my diagnosis a lot.
I don't have hallucinations, thank God. My mom has hallucinations of children in the house and she's always leaving out things for them like water and food and she’ll lay out beds for the babies. My dad has been amazing with her, absolutely amazing. He doesn't argue with her. He doesn't try to tell her she's crazy. He just does what she needs… Awful, and I can't help see that and wonder what's my future going to be like.
My husband has been a rock and my kids they're great. Not condescending but supportive cause I don't like anybody thinking I'm pathetic. That would just piss me off. For the most part I take care of myself.
My daughter recently asked "What does Parkinson's not allow you to do?” I thought about it and there's really nothing that I can't do. It might be a little different or amended, but there is really nothing that I can't do. That question was good for me because it helped me put things in perspective.
I’m a nurse and I recently took a new position with the Neuroscience Institute in hopes that I could help other people with problems similar to mine.
I felt hopeless in the beginning. Overwhelmed. I think it limited me more than it should have. Mentally I hit a wall. I had hoped at one point it was cancer because then that could be excised, we could move on and I could get my life back. But it wasn't that easy and despite the fact my mom has Parkinson's and I’m a nurse I never thought I had it, it didn't cross my mind. I think my age limited my diagnosis a lot.
I don't have hallucinations, thank God. My mom has hallucinations of children in the house and she's always leaving out things for them like water and food and she’ll lay out beds for the babies. My dad has been amazing with her, absolutely amazing. He doesn't argue with her. He doesn't try to tell her she's crazy. He just does what she needs… Awful, and I can't help see that and wonder what's my future going to be like.
My husband has been a rock and my kids they're great. Not condescending but supportive cause I don't like anybody thinking I'm pathetic. That would just piss me off. For the most part I take care of myself.
My daughter recently asked "What does Parkinson's not allow you to do?” I thought about it and there's really nothing that I can't do. It might be a little different or amended, but there is really nothing that I can't do. That question was good for me because it helped me put things in perspective.