I have recently proved to myself, yet again, that exercise is key for those of us with Parkinson’s. We cannot afford to just skip a day or two, we must push every day. Perhaps we can take a day a week off. I’m not sure, but I tell you this for free, it helps me no end.People tell me I make it look like nothing serious. I’m smiling, happy, I’m a bit slower at walking, but I can still run, as I proved last week at Relay for Life in Wellington with my children and the local college.
I’m not smiling on a morning. When I awake and my limbs are hard to move. I’m not smiling when I struggle to get groceries on the lower shelves. People try to help me, but I don’t want their assistance. Sometimes I want to shout. “I DON’T WANT YOUR HELP! I NEED TO GET IT MYSELF!” I suppose they would think I was being ungrateful, I was clearly struggling. Yet of course what they don’t realise is once I stop making myself do these things and accept their help, I lose that ability. Maybe forever, unless I fight to regain it.
I did that last year. I’d convinced myself that walking was very difficult, too difficult. Then I smashed my step count record with over 2,000 one day. I was in Paris, there was much to see. Last week I walked 16, 000 without noticing. This weekend, 13,000 at my step-daughter’s graduation, as I wandered the streets of Christchurch.
I woke this morning early. Unable to sleep. I rose and set about my usual stretching routine. The one I’d neglected for about a week. OK… a week or two. I realised my toes were a very long way away, and I struggled to lean forward. But despite this, and despite the inevitable tears of sadness I blinked back as I shoved away the still, small voice of dissent; I tried my best. It felt like the hardest thing ever.
I know tomorrow will be better. And the day after.. But only if I push myself. Refuse to give up. Any exercise is good exercise. So as World Parkinson’s Day draws to a close my challenge to you is this.
Be positive.
Stay strong.
Try your best in all you do.
Until Next Time.