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