On May 22, 2012, three years ago today, I posted, Fighting Parkinson’s, and Pratima is symptom free from Stage 4 Parkinson’s. As Pratima has commented in blog posts since then, like me, and like Marie before her, and like Betty after her, she no longer does the Recipe and her symptoms have not returned. Also, like me, and like Marie before her, and like Betty after her, Pratima is cured of Parkinson’s. Congratulations Pratima!
In my post earlier this week, I wrote about being vulnerable in your recovery. Click here, and please take a moment to read that post and the comments posted below it. Doing this will be beneficial to your recovery.
Pratima exhibited strength and courage when she decided she wanted to fight Parkinson’s. However, when one is at Stage 4 advanced Parkinson’s, bed-bound and wheelchair-bound, one does not have the ability to endeavor on such a journey without personal assistance…not just coaching…but personal assistance in the form of her daughter Bhavna. In wanting to recover from Parkinson’s, Pratima had to surrender her ego and be vulnerable every step of the way.
She does not speak English, and I do not speak Hindi. Pratima had to utilize her daughter Bhavna for communicating with me. It is one thing to be vulnerable with a spouse or a friend or me as your friend and/or Parkinson’s coach, but it is an entirely different thing to exhibit complete vulnerability in front of your grown child.
How vulnerable are you when you are willing to have your daughter move you through the physical Qigong exercises?
How vulnerable are you when you discuss with your daughter the intricacies of bathroom visits so your daughter could get advice from me?
How vulnerable are you when discuss with your daughter your aches and pains and fears and doubts so she could get advice from me?
How vulnerable are you when discuss with your daughter your wavering faith from time to time so she could get advice from me?
I think you get the point. In order for Pratima to receive from me the coaching she would need in her recovery, she had to bare her soul to her daughter Bhavna. That is the epitome of vulnerability. I am honored to have served such a courageous, and vulnerable, woman.
So, you do not have to take my word for it about vulnerability being critical in your recovery — you can take it from Pratima’s example.
Congratulations Pratima on being three years symptom free from Parkinson’s.
To the rest of you: You can do this, too!
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Congratulations Pratima and Bhavna! What courage you both had. Love Helen Australia
Oh well done Pratima, three years on. When I think of you I always think ” soul”. I even spent time going through the archives reading Howard’s post around your last few months of your Parkinson’s to see how he reached you on a soul level. Your journey was a truly vulnerable one but the magnificance of your soul shone through to victory. Well done Pratima and huge congratulations to your daughter and family for their love, guidance and belief in your recovery. You are Inspirational.
With Love,
Karen xx
Pratima and Family, you are all my heroes. What amazing teamwork and faith and determination. What an inspiration you have all been in working together for such a great cause. Thank you for being such a great example to all of us trying to follow in your footsteps.
Congratulations, Pratima …. I am so very grateful for your willingness to be vulnerable and for the inspiration, courage and learning you offer this entire group. Thank you, Bhavna for your loving support of your mother. Thank you dear group for your trust and love as you share your experiences and vulnerability. Thank you Howard, for your leadership and wonderful care of us all…it’s so beautiful to be celebrating this milestone together…
Wow, I am very humbled and inspired by being a part of this wonderful group. Congratulations to Pratima ! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story with us. Many thanks to her wonderful daughter who worked with her through this time.
Heart felt thank you to Howard for being you and making such a difference in so many peoples lives!
Thank you to Howard for making a difference in my life. Thank you for supporting my hope, and my faith that I can make it through this journey. Thank you for giving me the tools and the guidance to heal myself ! I feel very blessed!! I am grateful !!!
Have a Blessed Weekend
Debbie
Congratulations Pratima, Bhavna and Howard. You are an inspiration this us all. I really feel that teamwork played such an important part in Pratima’s recovery. Allowing vulnerability to be present takes an enormous amount of courage.
Last month I made a request for other forum members to connect with me in Birmingham UK. Two people got in touch and now we have a small support group where we have created a space where we can be vulnerable. It’s an amazing place to be. I am so inspired by my new buddies who really understand the challenges that we all face.
I’m truly grateful Howard. Without you this would not be happening.
Love and blessings to you all.
Waseema
I can’t imagine such vulnerability. Pratima, you are an inspiration to us all!
Thank-you for your sacrifice and bravery.
Pratima and Bhavna you are truly inspirational and a great encouragement to us all.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Congratulations Pratima.You are an inspiration!
Dear Howard,
I found your blog many months ago. I’m really being blessed by it. I want you to know how grateful I am that you have made yourself available to show us the way to “Fight Parkinson’s”.
I too, had my grown daughter come and help me. I felt very vulnerable! I couldn’t function. I was in pain. I was helpless to do anything for myself and hopeless as far as the future. It looked so bleak. I was told by doctors that I had a degenerative disease, meaning that I would go downhill until I would die of this disease. I was severely depressed. I WANTED to die! Medicare provided me with a wheelchair to use when I would no longer be able to walk.
Out of my desperation I called to God and He helped me. One way was guiding me to your blog. I’m actually getting better! The changes in my attitude from self-sufficiency to trusting Him daily, hourly, and becoming vulnerable has made all the difference! I am now attending a seniors’ exercise class twice a week. I feel very vulnerable there because I’m so uncoordinated trying to keep up, but I thank God for allowing me to be vulnerable. It took something like this to turn me around.
Just wanted to thank you for all you do.
Trish
Hi Trish, welcome welcome welcome! You are a true Warrior attending a class when you feel vulnerable . Well done you. You are in good company. God truly guided you here, he never fails to answer when we call out. 🙂
Karen xx
Thank you, Trish, for your candor in sharing your experience of desperation and hope. It’s about where I am in this journey of having Mr. PD as my temporary ‘sidekick’. It helps me a lot bolstering my faith in reaching out for Guidance…
It lifts many boats,
Peace to you,
Tom
Hi Trish,
Thanks for sharing and welcome !
Love and Blessings
Debbie
Dear Howard,
Pratima’s story is so inspiring! Tom, my husband has been reading me the blog nightly. I feel hope and even excited about my recovery journey with the Recipe.
Blessings to you and all.
Shawna
Thank you, Karen, Howard and all for your big welcome! I am so happy for the support and I can feel your love. Pratima’s story is awe inspiring! I congratulate her and hope to follow in her footsteps. Love to you all and thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
I had an experience today made me realize just how vulnerable I am. Instead of making me sad I feel liberated! I am so grateful for the many lessons that I have learned because of this disease ! Thank you Howard for your never ending support!
Welcome Trish you are a warrior of the heart. Love Helen Australia
It is so moving to visualize the love between Bhavna and her mom Pratima. The sheer act of moving her mom through the meditations and exercises is a physical manifestation of this enormous love. Pratima’s dedication to learn and internalize a new way of thinking and responding sings the harmony and balance to which she was able to reconnect. Howard’s guiding words bridged over the language divide in the pristine purity of their message. Opening our hearts means bridges, boundaries, and barriers are traversed. Great gratitude and immense thanks to Pratima, Bhavna and their whole family for the lessons they have taught each of us about crossing these divides. Congratulations precious Pratima, kind Bhavna and each family member who selflessly poured out their love.
With Love to each of you. Susana
Congratulations , Pratima ! congratulations, Bhavna !