Diva

After being diagnosed in 2010, my whole world changed and went upside down. But I read a quote by Michael J Fox that said “I have no choice whether or not I have Parkinson’s but surrounding that non-choice are a million other choices I CAN make,” and that inspired me to fight this rotten thing and educate people about it and how to live a great life.

Of course it sucks having PD but I try not to have a negative attitude or it will drain you and suck you dry. Negative thoughts breed negativity, unhealthy thoughts, stress and bad health. Two quotes that help me get motivated and live more positively are:

“There is always, always, always something to be grateful for” AND
“I don’t have any choice whether or not I have Parkinson’s, but surrounding that non-choice are a million other choices I CAN make.” MJFox

When I look for the positive differences PD has made in my life, I find lots. Sure there are some awful, crappy things but I wont dwell on those..it’s a waste of energy! So what positive additions has PD made to my life? Since my diagnosis (and after I stopped always seeing the negatives) I have done things I NEVER would have done or indeed have been able to do before Parkinson’s entered my life. I have learned to not sweat the small stuff. To look at and enjoy the little things (yes, like salted caramel ice cream). Started to be able to paint and have held exhibitions in Perth at the Niche, in my home town of Mandurah in Western Australia and I have had five pieces of art in an exhibition in Austin, Texas.

Published a children’s book about Parkinson’s. Gotten over my fear of speaking to a group of adults and have done a Tedx talk and talked to small groups and large groups about PD (e.g., Rotary, nurses, teachers etc).
Started a group called The Unsteady Hand Mob and through this group teach art to people affected by Parkinson’s whether they have it, care for someone with it or have a friend or family member with it.
Started a boxing group for people with Parkinson’s.
Produced a play called Kinetics to raise awareness of PD. (2019)
Produced AND directed another play about a man just diagnosed and it received rave reviews and many awards
Become much more confident in myself.
Raised over $15000+ for the Parkinson’s Nurses fund (Western Australia).
Made a small business putting my paintings on mugs, coasters and just about anything. I am an advocate for those who have PD and have helped many people start and continue their Parkinson’s journey and live the best life they can. Developed a Hospital Kit for People with Parkinson’s so they can have an effective hospital stay.
I write a blog and am in the process of putting another book together, this time full of poetry and short musings.

I tend now to be a ‘glass half full’ person. Two days ago I went to Curtin Radio Station and did an interview with the lovely Jenny Seaton ..something that would never have happened BP. I spend more time on things that I want to do and need to do now that I was forced to retire early. I now take exercise and good eating seriously and except for the Parkinson’s I am healthier than I have been for years. I don’t waste time trying to impress people to get them to like me. They either do or they don’t and if they want to leave my circle of supportive friends, it’s their loss. I surround myself with positive people. So surprise, surprise there ARE some unexpected positive additions to life after the diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
I’m still alive, and although I have had to give up driving (which is a VERY HARD adjustment), there are still things to be thankful for. I get up every morning which is far better than the alternative!

Seeing (and looking for) only the negatives will make you unhappy, depressed and isolated, so every night think of two positives that happened that day and one thing you are grateful for. Write them down if you want ..on paper with pen, pencil, text or even lipstick on the mirror if you like..anywhere you want OR verbalize them to your pet or even your Teddybear or maybe the invisible man. Make it fun and soon your mood will lift and it’ll become easier.
YES Parkinson’s sucks and YES you are allowed to have a slip and a good cry every now and then.. but when you’ve finished get up, get moving and get those positive vibes ringing out!

I when I painted this I was feeling very down and needed to cheer myself up. I looked at the paper and couldn’t start it was a very plain piece of paper and I couldn’t see myself doing anything I couldn’t break the whiteness. So I put some paint on my hands and just smashed the background around mixing colours etc. And then I just got a whole pile of stencils and put on the background. I had the music playing really loud and I started to feel better. Then I drew the emu and began to fall in love with her. She looks so cool calm and collected and not worried so I decided that was gonna be me. I love the colours in this one and she’s my favourite painting. I didn’t really want to sell her but I decided I’d give someone else a chance to feel good by looking at her and so there she is you’ve got it now.

Used by permission of the artist.