It affects so many but it is also a cruel disease.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is unique to each individual as it is a disease of the brain. Yet there are aspects of the disease that affect most and especially the people who are close to the PD sufferer.
From the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke comes a small extract:
Following Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States. Most people diagnosed with PD are age 60 years or older, however, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of people with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50. Approximately 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD, but given that many individuals go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed the actual number is likely much higher. Some experts estimate that as many as 1 million Americans have PD. Of course, given the progressive nature of the disabilities associated with PD, the disease affects thousands more wives, husbands, children, and other caregivers.
NINDS website
Jean was diagnosed in December, 2015 at the same time as my best friend in England, Richard Maugham.
More than 10 million people worldwide are living with PD!
Here is a video put out by Parkinson’s UK that is introduced as follows:
In this honest and often funny live talk Colin describes his experience with Parkinson’s and his hopes for the future.
So a wish on behalf of those countless other people: May there be a cure soon!
Learning from Dogs 
I haven’t seen you for too long. You said Jean has had Parkinson’s for 7 years and you’re still up on the hill and I’m still down at the bottom of the hill. If you feel up to it I would love to have you come over to visit. We’re practically neighbors and yet I don’t make the time to call you and see you. I care about both of you and really do want to see you in person very soon.
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Oh Belinda, that is so kind of you to say that. I am just as guilty in that I don’t call you. Let us make amends, and soon. I will be in touch.
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I hope there is a cure found soon Paul , it is a horrible condition, and I’ve had friends who have also suffered.
Sending huge hugs and thoughts to you and Jean, and thank you for highlighting. 🙏💕
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Dear Sue, there is no doubt that all people will know someone with Parkinson’s it being such a widespread disease. Your greetings are received with love ❤️ and returned in spades. It would be incredibly wonderful if a cure could be found in my lifetime.
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Prayers sent out for that Paul
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Thank you, Sue!
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I had been wondering how Jeannie was doing, Paul. It’s hard to see anyone we love struggling and this is another of those illnesses that has a jello quality to it. They just can’t nail down what it is and what to do about it. You would have thought all the attention Micheal J Fox brought to Parkinson’s, that we would have made some progress by now. M S. is another jello condition. I know too many with it. The diseases are progressing faster than any treatment. Let her know she is quietly being thought about with great hope.
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Marlene, I apologise for taking so many hours to reply. But that doesn’t lessen my approval for what you wrote. Today, for example (and it is Jean’s birthday) Jean was awake at 2am and is now gentle snoozing (I’m writing this just before 5am Oregon time) but inevitably her and my nights have been disturbed. It most definitely is a very cruel disease. Thank you!
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Never apologize, Paul. I am dealing with my own health challenge and understand rough nights and the inability to do it all quickly enough. Still defying the odds but that doesn’t make the challenges any less significant. Know you both are in my thoughts even though I don’t get here often enough.
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Marlene, thank you so much. Reaching out like we are doing is so important! Take care, love Paul.
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