Nearly 14 years ago, when I first heard the words "you have Parkinson's Disease", I was stunned and overwhelmed. I knew Michael J. Fox, Pope Saint John Paul II, and Muhammed Ali, all had the same disease, but that is where my knowledge of the disease ended.
I remember vividly, calling up the Michigan Parkinson Foundation to get some guidance on what to do next. They put me in touch with the facilitator of the Young Onset PD Support Group. He invited me to attend their next meeting, and to meet others who would truly understand what I was facing. I reluctantly went to the next meeting, and at first I wasn't sure a support group was what I needed right then.
My lovely wife Rose, encouraged me to go to the subsequent meeting a month later, and we have been truly blessed by the community of PD patients, care partners, doctors, physical and speech therapists, MPF employees and volunteers whom we have met grown to see as "family". Add to that the friends and family who donate every year on my behalf to this annual walk and/or walk with me at the event and I am truly humbled by your support of me and Rose.
This disease has taught me 2 very important lessons:
- Let me be blunt: PD stinks for sure, but in life, we will face many difficult circumstances. I see more clearly that the Lord will be at my side through them all and that even the toughest challenges will ultimately result in some greater good.
- Everyone has their cross to bear - or to put it another way, we all have something going on. So, I am more patient with others in general. We can't know every challenge that they may be facing right now.
So, please consider donating for this extremely worthwhile cause. I assure you it will be put to very good use.
God bless you,
Steve Femminineo