Getting ready for the Parkinson's Walk

Well, I couldn't make it to the Parkinson's Unity Walk in NYC this year, but fortunately, there's still our local version. The Sunnyvale Parkinson's Walk is affiliated with the Parkinson's Unity Walk, and all the funds we raise go to the same places (the Michael J Fox Foundation, National Parkinson's Foundation, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Parkinson's Action Network, and several others). Please sponsor me, if you can! Click on this link to donate:
http://www.unitywalk.org/events/participant.php?memID=6940&eventID=1

I hope that local folks can come out and join us on Saturday, May 1st. Here is the flyer:

Happy National Parkinson's Month

April is here, and so it's the start of the first "official" National Parkinson's Month. I'm preparing to send out my Parkinson's Quilt square (hopefully today) and I've designed and printed flyers for the local Parkinson's Walk which happens May 1st. I'm going to donate to my friend Pokie's Parkinson's Walk efforts, and I've dug out a week's worth of Parkinson's themed t-shirts to wear to work. I'm ready!!

I feel suddenly energized, ready for a new start. The cloud of depression is lifting, and I'm reminded of the old saying about silver linings; how every dark cloud has a silver lining, that is. Here's a list of some of mine:

• I HATE being cold. Silver Lining: I LOVE warming up again, especially if it involves a blanket, a fireplace, a cup of hot chocolate and a window to view the storm.
• I HATE crowds. Silver Lining: I LOVE the crowd reaction at shows and movies. It's part of the whole experience to me.
  
• I HATE being dragged out of my comfort zone to do something new. Silver Lining: once I get there, I LOVE the feeling of adventure and novelty, and later on, I love the feeling of acccomplishment.
• I HATE Parkinson's. Silver Lining: I LOVE the friends that I've made, the inspiration they've given me, the rearrangement of my priorities, the closer relationships I've forged with my family. I also love the feeling of having a purpose; my purpose is to do what I can to cure this stupid disease, in my own little way. My purpose is to keep fighting for my right to have the full, happy life I've always envisioned.