Inside Parkinson's

Today is my celebration! One year ago, during the world pandemic, I launched the Inside Parkinsons website. 

I recall the feeling that morning as we launched the site! There was excitement in the air.  I took a risk, and I believe it paid off. I didn’t know how people would respond to my blog posts. I wasn’t even sure I could come up with enough to say for a blog post.  As you can see, I have plenty to say, and all of you have been so responsive to my posts. 

I started this website so that I could help people with Parkinson’s.  

In 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I was in shock for several months. I think everyone goes through shock and denial when first diagnosed.  Early on, I started exercising and discovered that it made me feel better. I could even miss a dose of medicine if I were exercising. That was amazing! I researched articles and webinars about Parkinson’s. I am a retired Librarian, so this came naturally.  

In 2017, I met Chris Gaffney from Parkinson’s Support & Wellness. We began conversing, and the next thing I know, I’m starting a support group.  I named the group Working with Parkinson’s because I was still working at that time. Today I see our group as working through our Parkinson’s journey. Most people in the group are retired.  I learned that I had a gift and could share information about Parkinson’s with others. People were very responsive to what I learned and shared.  Our group has survived COVID by meeting on Zoom. We’ve become a great group of friends, and I’m so happy to meet with them each month.  

My Parkinson’s Doctor approached me in 2018 about giving a talk at the Sunflower Revolution Symposium. I agreed and spoke to a large number of people.  I shared my story and talked about exercise slowing the progression of Parkinson’s. I did not know it then, but that presentation was the catalyst for this website and any lectures or talks that I have or will give in the future.

I realized that I had something to say, and I wanted to encourage people to exercise and move. I was amazed at how much exercise can make you not only feel better but stop or slow down your Parkinson’s symptoms.  

Now, we move to the end of 2019. I was recovering from a year of illness and adjusting to being retired. COVID hit in 2020, and I was getting ready to host a large retirement party, but unfortunately, I had to cancel because so many people were becoming ill from COVID. I did not want anyone else to get sick because they came to my party.  

I participated in a Vision Board workshop with Melissa Kirkpatrick in June 2020. My vision came to life when I met her. I knew I wanted to reach people and share what I’ve learned about Parkinson’s.  Our discussions led to the decision to create this website. Building a website would help me spread my message and be an information source for future speaking engagements.

In September 2020, I launched the website with the help of my husband and Melissa. That was an exciting day.  We got up early and dressed for the occasion. We watched as family and friends responded with great enthusiasm. The website has expanded this year beyond family and friends. Several of my blog posts are on the Parkinson’s Support and Wellness site.

Every other week, I write about a topic related to Parkinson’s or any current issue on my mind that refers to people in general, not only those with Parkinson’s.  

Last winter, I discovered my gift for writing poetry. A poem entitled Living Inside the Body, which I quickly wrote, felt like a gift, and I published it in February 2021. I continue to write poetry and hope to post more on the website.  

Now, I am looking ahead to see what my future holds.  

The website has become a part of me and is a great avenue to share my thoughts and ideas. I look forward to expanding the range of this website and reaching more people.  

I am sure I will be writing more poetry, and I am currently working on a program for the spring on Healing through Journaling.    

If you have an idea for the website or have a question, you can comment through the About page or message me on Facebook,

Thank you for your continued love and support.