We each are the expert of our own Parkinson’s. We know our individual Parkinson’s better than anybody. We are the ones living in our Parkinson’s body, thinking with our Parkinson’s mind, and feeling with our Parkinson’s soul. So, if we are the experts of our own Parkinson’s, why are we following the advice of people who never have lived in a Parkinson’s body or thought with a Parkinson’s mind or felt with a Parkinson’s soul? There is only so much they can tell us, and their story begins with, “Once upon a time, you got this disease that has no cure….” It doesn’t have to be this way! Trust in yourself!
Lori Reimuller did not believe it had to be that way for her son, Robbie, who had epilepsy. Their story is chronicled in the movie “…First Do No Harm.” Here is the synopsis posted on the Internet Movie Database Website:
“When Lori Reimuller learns that her young son Robbie has epilepsy, she first trusts the judgment of the hospital staff in how best to bring it under control. As Robbie’s health slides radically downhill, however, she becomes frustrated and desperate, and so does her own research into the existing literature on treatments. When she decides to try an alternative treatment called the Ketogenic Diet, devised long ago by a doctor from Johns Hopkins, she is met with narrow-minded resistance from Robbie’s doctor, who is prepared to take legal action to prevent Lori from removing him from the hospital. This movie is an indictment of those in the medical profession who discuss only the treatment options they favor. Several of the minor characters are portrayed by people who have been not just helped, but cured by the Ketogenic diet.”
If Temple Grandin’s mother would have followed the advice of the doctors who diagnosed the non-talking 4-year-old with Autism, Temple would have been institutionalized for life. Temple’s mother decided to follow a different path for her daughter. Instead of being institutionalized for life, Temple earned her undergraduate degree, Master’s degree, and PhD, revolutionized parts of the cattle industry, and is a spokesperson and advocate for how to deal with Autism. Her story is chronicled in the movie, “Temple Grandin.” Here is the synopsis posted on the Internet Movie Database Website:
“Biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who overcame the limitations imposed on her by her condition to become an expert in the field of animal husbandry. She developed an interest in cattle early in life while spending time at her Aunt and Uncle’s ranch. She did not speak until age four and had difficulty right through high school, mostly in dealing with people. Her mother was very supportive as were some of her teachers. She is noted for creating her ‘hug box’, widely recognized today as a way of relieving stress and her humane design for the treatment of cattle in processing plants, even winning an award from PETA. Today, she is a professor at Colorado State University.”
These two movies come with my highest recommendation. They are true stories of children faced with treatment options for their diseases that had no happy endings at all. In each child’s situation, their mother stepped forward and said, “It doesn’t have to be this way!” They walked the path less traveled, they faced the scorn of those who wanted them to follow the conventional route, they were all alone in their quest for a different outcome than the outcome put forth by the professionals. Along the way, they met others who saw their spark, who understood their plight, and who helped them keep the courage of their convictions in staying on their path…AND THEY ENDED UP WITH HAPPY ENDINGS…HAPPY ENDINGS THAT THE PROFESSIONALS TOLD THEM WERE IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE!!!
Are you ready to take control of your Parkinson’s? Are you ready to walk the path less traveled? Are you ready to maintain the courage of your convictions and fight Parkinson’s on a path to recovery? ARE YOU READY TO GO DOWN A PATH THAT CAN RESULT IN A HAPPY ENDING…A HAPPY ENDING THAT THE PROFESSIONALS TELL YOU IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE!
If we all go down the path together, we are not alone. We will have strength in our numbers and encouragement for each other. Aren’t you worth it?
All my best,
Howard
