October 4, 2019
I’m dumbfounded. I’ve spent a lifetime pouring over medical journals and text, working at staying on the cutting edge of medicine. Little did I know that much of what I needed to learn existed on YouTube (for free).
This morning I came across a TEDx lecture by Tim Hague Sr. on the effects of Parkinson’s. Mr. Hague, a nurse, developed early onset Parkinson’s. His presentation is both scary, uplifting, moving and inspiring.
Tim and his son won the Canadian version of “The Amazing Race.” He credits Parkinson’s for getting him the interview and subsequent casting call for the show. In essence, he won the race because of and despite having Parkinson’s.
Mr. Hague raises the following question, “How do you relate to a new best friend that you hate?” His new best friend is his Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s becomes an ever-present part of your life. It’s the guest that comes for dinner one night and refuses to leave. It’s the guest that goes room to room through your house, trashing everything it comes in contact with. And, yes, it’s the guest that ultimately takes your life.
Mr. Hague’s answer is simple. You “introduce friend Parkinson’s to friend Perseverance.” According to Merriam-Webster, perserverance means “persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.” Mr. Hague adds the following: “with little or no evidence of success.”
You get the point. Friend “Perseverance” is a very important friend to have on your side in the fight against any chronic disease, especially one like Parkinson’s. While I write about my Parkinson’s, please know that there are many disease names I could substitute in place of the name Parkinson’s that would have the same impact on an individual as Parkinson’s has on me.
What’s important is that learning how others survive with a “best friend they hate” can only help me (and you) persevere in finding the good in the midst of a swamp full of bad and YouTube is a good place to listen to the plight of others. Please share this blog with others.
