Stairs and Stares
With tongue in cheek, I write this post because there is both truth and humor in the statement, “Stairs and stares are part of dealing with Parkinson’s every day.” Let me explain.
One of the first signs that manifests with Parkinson’s is a slowness in movements. Getting out of a car takes emense concentration and patience. Getting up from a sitting position on the sofa, bed or chair seems to take forever. And going down a set of stairs is quite frankly an Olympic event every time I do so. What is interesting to me is how easy it is to climb up a stairway, but how difficult it is to walk down it. My brain tells my feet to place my foot on the next lower step, but often it just does not do as it is told. My physical therapist taught me an excellent tip for descending stairs. After I put my foot on the lower step, slide it back until my heel touches the riser and then secure my stance. This works like magic, but it does take awhile to get from the top to the bottom. This explains the other part of today’s post title, “stares.”
Parkinson’s is a very visual disease even when the meds have kicked in and are On (an expression well known by PD patients). I move, I tremor, I sway. My head bobbles like one of those baseball dolls seen in the back window of a car. And lately, my mouth takes on funny shapes even when I am not talking. My husband often asks me why am I making such an unusual facial expression, then he catches himself and realizes, oh yes, Parkinson’s. Another feature of PD is a decrease in the number of blinks and having a flat facial affect. I have not experienced either of these signs yet and hope to always have the ability to be expressive, but only time will tell.
When I am out and about, it is not unusual for people to stare at me. Most days, I do not let this get to me and if I have an opportunity to explain, I simply say, “I have Parkinson’s.” This simple comment breaks the ice and often generates further discussion on what Parkinson’s is and is not. Some days, I do wish I could just go under the radar and not have anyone look, stare or glance as I wiggle and sway while waiting in the line at the check-out counter. But such is life with PD.
As for now, on most days, I just ignore the stares and avoid the stairs and life is all good!
Photo source: Pinterest
