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Reactions when you tell people you have Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's Disease | Last Active: 7 hours ago | Replies (49)Comment receiving replies
@nova11723 as a friend of a 73 yr old with Parkinson’s I’m hear to learn and try to understand how she is feeling. Your comment about having to put on a performance struck a cord with me. She tells me she doesn’t like walking into social settings by herself and doesn’t come to our weekly lunches as much. Her symptoms are not real noticeable. She can’t explain to me why she feels this way. If the reason is anxiety about putting on a performance, how do I support her?
Replies to "@nova11723 as a friend of a 73 yr old with Parkinson’s I’m hear to learn and..."
Good question. For me, my issue is usually before the event, i.e. the anxiety how I will walk from the car to the room or the the chair. Sitting in a chair is particularly helpful so I don't have to multitask and just can focus on talking. The less I have to worry about the better, so if you streamline the logistics, it should help. Once I am participating, things tend to go well.
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@206452751079 you're a great friend. Hopefully, you get some really good responses to your question. Many times, people with Parkinson's cannot explain why they have certain feelings or cannot do certain things that seem very routine. Your patience and support are great.
Just a thought---"she doesn't like walking into social settings by herself" can you pick her up and bring her to the lunches, so you walk in together? Also, it might be the day or time of day of the lunches that's not working for her symptoms---1:00 on a Tuesday might just be a bad time for her.
hopefully people with a lot more experience respond to you. best of luck and keep up the good friendship