Oh my, where did the time go? On March 25, 2010, twelve years ago today and six months into my Parkinson’s recovery, I began this blog. Today, I will look at from where we have come, where we are, and where we are going.
There I was in March of 2010, six months into doing the Recipe, and complaining to my family that I could not find anybody else on the Internet trying to get better from Parkinson’s. The reward for my complaining was my family firmly suggesting that I start a blog, talk about what I was doing, and maybe somebody working on a Parkinson’s recovery would find me.
A blog!??? I had to learn how to set one up, and also, my typing was down to one-finger typing. However, I said yes. Here is an excerpt from my first blog post so you can see where I was six months into the recovery:
I am doing my best to fight this drug free. Admittedly, my movements are slow, my balance is not good, I have regular nagging pain, and I tire much more easily than before. However, I have decided to listen to these messages my body is sending me and work toward a long-term solution from a holistic perspective. I am interested in sharing my experiences to help others and I am interested in hearing others’ experiences to help me and anybody else who reads this blog.
From where we have come.
My blog readership was astounding right out of the blocks…NOT! Other than Sally and our children, our friend Mary, my sister Allison and brother-in-law Rick, and my cousins Carolyn, Michael, and Susan, nobody was reading my blog. Blog readership: 10.
Where we are.
Over 20,000 unique visitors per month are coming to the website and blog.
These unique visitors come from over 200 countries from around the world.
I am coaching at least one person from 6 of the 7 continents. Apparently, Antarctica is the hold-out.
Some statistics for you:
Please note, these statistics are what have been reported to me, so the numbers may be higher.
Number of full recoveries other than me: 6.
Number of people having reported seeing benefits from doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®: Over 500.
Number of people doing the full Recipe as it is every day and not seeing any benefit: 0.
Number of people who have subscribed to receive an email notification every time I do a blog post: 1,235. (This means that when you are opening the email and clicking on the blog post, 1,234 other people are doing it with you).
Today’s blog post is number 887.
You have posted 11,137 comments on the blog posts.
If you have ever felt alone when reading the blog, doing the Recipe, or being in your Parkinson’s body, please know that there are over 20,000 people from over 200 countries in 6 continents on this blog with you each and every month.
You are not alone!
Where we are going.
Closing thoughts. The ”where we are going” section is blank because none of us know what comes next. In my recovery, I learned to accept life as it rolled out in front of me, one step at a time. However, I invite all of you to post a comment about where you want to go in your recovery.
Although we do not control what comes next, when you have a clear picture of what you want, and you put your soul, mind, and body best efforts and energy in the direction of what you want, you substantially increase that you will receive everything you want.
At the end of my first blog post, twelve years ago today, I wrote:
I have many blessings in this life, and I feel that Parkinson’s is just a roadblock…not an immoveable object. I look forward to a meaningful dialogue.
I am grateful to all of you for the lively and meaningful dialogue we have been having these twelve years. And we are nowhere near completion of this conversation!
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Good morning Mr Howard!! What an achievement for your blog. It’s 12 years and how time passes. Your blog is inspirational and encouraging. I look forward every Friday to read your wonderful blog which is full of wisdom, positivity and encouragement. God bless you, and may you continue to be an inspiration to thousands of people and keep on doing the recipe for recovery. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend dear fellow warriors 🙏🏼
Thank you!
I am actually happy to read that after six months of doing the recipe Howard was still experiencing pain, bad balance, slow movements, and more— me too! (although my balance is okay). So I know that my experience (same as the above) is not something to worry about and in common with Howard’s initial experience (I’ve only been consistently doing the recipe for 3 months) 🙂 I’ll keep at this, improving what I can every day, and see myself as another inspiration for others to come – thanks for sharing, Howard- good luck to all- and Howard, you are the most positive person I’ve ever run into- whoa! -Neil
Thank you too, dear Howard, it’s really a big blessing to all of us, that you take the time to support us and to share your experiences with us!! THANK YOU!!
Hi Howard, I am smiling, when you wrote that there has been 11,137 comments, I think some would joke that most of them have been “ Karen in Ireland “ 😂
In reply to your request. The only place I want to go is back to the version that God created of me, which is perfect health and balance, in mind, body & spirit and in doing so, feel and be guided by my soul, the piece of him, within me. 🥰.
Thanks Howard, big Love to you and all warriors, old and new.
Karen xx 💕
ps.Congratulations to you and gratitude Howard for creating the blog and committing your life to being God in motion, through your selfless love and guidance to one and all with wisdom and humour. 😇xx
What an extraordinary example you set Howard of persistence, perseverance and ever lasting positivity! Thank you what you are giving all of us. Above all, you are giving all of you to all of us!
In deepest gratitude
Vijai
My goal? full recovery!
And to be grateful every step of the way.
All the best to all you fellow warriors!
Thank you for this blog full of positivity . You are a gift to many of us, a light in our darkest hours.
Last time Howard invited us to say where we wanted to go in our recovery, I said I wanted to offer myself as a reaper to help bring in the harvest. That still holds good. I would like to experience my actual recovery as effervescence – be overcome one day by a sensation of being unclogged physically, mentally and spiritually, like an Alka-Seltzer fizzing in a glass. What ecstasy!
As for the mind-blowing stats, it’s amazing what one man and his blog can achieve.
I’m doing the full recipe as best as I can and feeling lots of gratitude . I accept what comes along but my aim is for a full recovery and l will get there how ever long it takes as I have plenty of life in me yet lol ! Love and blessings to all 😊😊😊
Yes keep forging a head, Rick! I’m tracking right alongside you and the rest of the gang. 😀😀😀
Best regards, Chris
Yes, it is time to relax, sit back,
and inhale the sweetness of life!!
Then give gratitude, and allow recovery to happen.😃
Peace and recovery to everyone, Chris
Thank you Howard for your vision 12 years ago. You are a wonderful agent of healing. And many thanks to each and every one of you that reads this blog. We all have the same goal of healing and recovery and to share in the joy of the gift of movement!
Blessings to All
Marie in SC
Thank you Howard for persevering all these years with me, and everyone else. You are a fine example of Love and kindness and courage. A shining light. I wish to have full recovery, and be a shining light human being full of gratitude love joy and kindness! And compassion for myself and others. I am asking for full recovery and appreciation one day at a time, I want to be in awe of this life and let my heart and The Divine guide me! 👏❤️😃
Thank you Howard for the inspiration in starting the blog 12 years ago and sharing your recovery experiences. With this sharing, we know 6 of our warriors have fully recovered and most of us have experienced some sort of benefits from doing the recipe. Keep up with the good work with your continued support and guidance and we will benefit. God bless you and recovery to everyone.
Thank you Howard. This is the 15th month into my recovery journey. My ultimate goal is not to return to pre-parkinson’s as that clearly was an unhealthy me. I want a reborn me. I will settle for inner peace. Last Friday we visited friends and for several hours, and I was in total peace. I was chatting without tremors and those few hours was like a drink of cool water. It is moments like these that nourish me when my symptoms appear to be raging. My love to all.
Ray that is fantastic. The finish line is insight my fellow Irishman. Several hours without tremors, joyous! 😊xx
Thank you Howard. Sharing the initial slow uptake of your blog reminds me of a quote: “A mistake that makes you humble is better than an achievement that makes you arrogant.”
This week has been an adventure of four days of walking and standing in lines at Disney World with our grandkids. I was concerned about my energy level before the trip, but thanks to The Recipe exercises and a positive attitude (due to the blog and comments) everything was great. Almost no rigidity in my shoulder while walking and for up to fifteen minutes at a time and no tremors while standing or sitting. While I type this, the tremors are strong, but I know that recovery is in progress.
I am grateful for you Howard and the community of your blog.
I have just finished reading your book Howard and I read like a tortoise so I want to start your recipe. It gives me great hope.