For many of you this is the first time you are hearing about my diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. If it is, please click on the tab above for "My Story". I explain how I began this journey.
It's almost been a year since I first noticed symptoms of Parkinson's and almost four months since my official diagnosis. Little did I know, a year later I would be trying to deal with the day to day of living with a non-curable disease. This new journey was not something I was expecting but I guess the Lord had other plans.
As I began my research, I came across a few blogs of people who were also diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's. These blogs were inspiring, hopeful, and encouraging as I was looking at an unsure future. I was searching everywhere for answers to so many questions that I had. As I read these blogs, I realized these were people just like me sharing their day to day lives with others about how their Parkinson's was affecting their lives in a positive and honest way. (ok there were a few negative) This was the beginning of a seed that was planted for me to one day blog about how Parkinson's is continuing to change my life. Just like I was encouraged by these writers, I want to encourage others as well. So, today will be my chance to start impacting others as I continue on my new journey. With the continued support of my family and friends I will persevere. A verse that I continue to go back to during difficult times in my life is Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understandings, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Seventeen years ago our lives were changed by our sweet son Luke who was born with his own challenges he was going to face for the rest of his life. With our short 2 1/2 years with him, we emailed our weekly updates to family and friends. Those emails were forwarded to others over 100 times what we ever dreamed. Blogs, Caringbridge, or Facebook didn't exist back then. As I reflect on those days, writing those emails was healing to both Jere and I. So as I start this new adventure in blogging, I hope you see this as my way to share what's going on with me and my Parkinson's but also a way to give hope to others.
Thank you for joining me on my journey
Stacey
