One day just after I got duty as a firefighter about four years ago (age 43), I drove to a doctor’s appointment in Orlando where I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I did not see it coming. I knew I was shaking a lot but Parkinson’s doesn’t happen to me.
So I walked out of the doctor’s office not really knowing what or how to feel. I got in my car to drive home and I just start crying, I could not stop no matter what I did. I started thinking about all the things I needed to do. I had an eleven-year-old boy that I still needed to finish raising into a quality young man and I thought all this was over. There were a lot of horrible thoughts that day. The crying continued until about 30 minutes before I arrived at my home in Vero. During the next 30 minutes the crying stopped and my true personality came out. I said to myself “PARKINSON’S CAN’T BEAT ME!!!” I didn’t know when, what, or how I was going to deal with this challenge but one thing I did know: I am a fighter.
How has your life been changed as a result of your ordeal?
Since I was diagnosed I’ve been to the doctor a lot. I’m still a firefighter, but one of my favorite things to do all my life is to help others. I never had any real direction with this passion until now. I’ve been helping people with Parkinson’s in our area. If nothing else, I just take them out for a ride to get them out of the house. Now I’m working on becoming an advocate and motivational speaker for this disease for anyone who will listen. So in closing, Parkinson’s didn’t change me but helped me become who I really want to be.
What would you advise another facing similar circumstances based on what you have learned?
For anyone facing personal challenges, I promise you, if you look close enough you can learn and become better for it.
