When you have Parkinson’s disease, it’s easy to focus on what you’ve lost. You feel as if Parkinson’s has stripped away a part of who you are and you will never be able get that back. This can be overwhelming and seemingly hopeless. But knowing I always look for the brighter side of things, I have come up with 9 things you get for free with Parkinson’s. What do they say? When Parkinson’s gives you lemons, you make frozen yogurt.
- You always have an excuse for getting out of events, parties or that date with a man you met online, who looks nothing like his pictures. I’m sorry but my Parkinson’s is just being a bear today. Raincheck?
- You get to use a handicap placard. This is especially useful making new friends who like to go to concerts, movies, comedy shows, or sporting events. Just flash this blue baby and say hello to parking up front. Parkinson’s just helped you expand your Wolfpack.
If a deadly virus conjures up a widespread zombie apocalypse, your slow movements and shuffling gait will distract the walking dead. Bonus!
- When traveling, you can just drop the word Parkinson’s and boom… you will get early boarding at no cost and a seat with more legroom. Already saving cheddar on these freebies!
- When you want to go to lunch with a friend, but she is saying that she is too busy to go, just reply, “Are you sure? Seeing as I have Parkinson’s and it is a degenerative disease… I will only continue to get worse, so we better take advantage of the limited time I have.” This freebie gets them every time and if you lay it on really thick, you could even get a free lunch.
You have a believable excuse as to why you must eat gigantic amounts of sweets. My Parkinson’s has allowed me to continue eating obscene amounts of Fro Yo. Now thanks to Parkinson’s, I don’t have to stop, because I can’t help it, it’s a medical condition. Wink.
- Parkinson’s has given you a reason to need glasses. This might not sound like a freebie, but think of all the adorable frames you can sashay around in. Parkinson’s has given you the gift of being looking smartaculous.
- You have the ability to fill out those ridiculously tiny lines on forms because Parkinson’s has given you the gift of small handwriting.
- Now because of Parkinson’s, you can get into National and Federal Parks for free. This freebie also includes discounts on extended amenities. For more information, click here.
So now you can see that Parkinson’s doesn’t take without giving you something in return and what’s even better… it’s all free. All these freebies has got me in the spirit!
Very insightful and funny!
My Parkinson’s is also coupled with cancer. Stage IIIC melanoma skin cancer. It was a learning experience for Moffitt in Tampa, FL. Would enjoy greatly to read your book.
John
Titusville, FL
I find I need to use the Parky Card once in awhile. Like say, the policeman shows up at your house, because your out of town hubby called 911. Apparently leaving the front door ajar triggers an alarm on his mobile, and I left my mobile in the house, so couldn’t hear him when he called several times. Oooops officer, I have a disability and m husband was worried.
Brilliant!!!!
You’re so cool 😎
And yes, I have friends who delight in my placard. Lol
Thank you Meg, you’re pretty cool too!
You can get a scooter at theme parks and use the secret entrances to cut to the front of long lines. This has the side advantage of wisking you through the park and hauling your gear.
That is an awesome freebie!! Thank you for reminding me about this perk, especially because I live near Disneyland!
At most amusement type parks or Fair’s… your spouse or caregiver or GF/BF can get in free as long as you mention that said person IS your Care giver/carepartner…………. Then enjoy the other stuff mentioned above……….
Great fun, a friend posted this in our Parkinson’s healing group. Personally ihave always considered PD to be a gift…..a pain in the backside most of the time, but nonetheless a wonderful gift.
The following letter was written 500 years ago, and explains what I mean beautifully.
I am your friend and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not got, but there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant. Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach is joy. There is radiance and glory in the darkness could we but see – and to see we have only to look. I beseech you to look!
Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by the covering, cast them away as ugly, or heavy or hard. Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom, with power.
Welcome it, grasp it, touch the angel’s hand that brings it to you. Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, believe me, that angel’s hand is there, the gift is there, and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Our joys, too, be not content with them as joys. They, too, conceal diviner gifts.
Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty – beneath its covering – that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven.
Courage, then, to claim it, that is all. But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are all pilgrims together, wending through unknown country, home.
And so, at this time, I greet you. Not quite as the world sends greetings, but with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you now and forever, the day breaks, and the shadows flee away.
This letter was written by Fra Giovanni Giocondo to his friend, Countess Allagia Aldobrandeschi on Christmas Eve, 1513.
Such a beautiful letter. Thank you for sharing.
That’s very very bad. LOL
Awesome!!! As a fellow young female Parkie – this just made my day!! 😁
I am working on being positive. Your words have brought a giant leap forward
Thank You
.
Happy to help!
We also lose the ability to smell certain noxious odors, which might make us more likely to eat chili or the like. That said, we could lose friends on that, so… not sure if it’s all good.
BTW – the National Parks link wouldn’t go. I’d be interested to see that.
Great stuff!
Thanks for the heads up on the National Parks link…. It’s fixed now.
Thanks for making our vacations cheaper! You rock!!
You new subscribers are in for a treat getting Perky Parkie’s book. Be sure to have some kleenexes near by! Actually I call Perkie Allison Awesome cuz she is. She’s great at lightening the load of PD. Love you Allison Awesome!
Awwww, thank you Shar-bear!! Let’s get together soon!
This put a smile on my face. Thank you!
Glad it made you smile!