Amidst a PD diagnosis, what are you grateful for?

From kctherabbitt
I am so blessed and thankful for so many wonderful people I have met since starting this PD journey 8 years ago. I am grateful for my care partner…my husband Bill. So thankful for my rock steady boxing coach… she keeps me moving! Thankful for medication that eases my symptoms. I also give thanks to God for the love and support of my children and grandchildren. I could go on but I think I need a nap😴

I am grateful for many of the things others have mentioned, so I shan't repeat them. In addition to all of those things , I am grateful for something that is so mundane and common, but helps the folks who must deal with the various indignities visited upon us by our maladies. It is something
that lets us get out and about on our own and makes the lives of our caretakers so much better. I am tremendously grateful to have the adult diaper. We take them for granted, but imagine what the lives of many folks would be like without them. There are so many things like this that we take for granted, but someone had to recognize the need for them, someone had to develop and test various approaches to get a reasonably functional product , and get the product to market. There is a lot of work involved between recognizong the problem, devising a solution, and getting a product to those of us who so desparately need it. So to those involved in this endeavor, please know we are grateful to you for your efforts to improve our lives. We hope our gratitude makes up for any any awkwardness you experience when some one asks, "So, what do you do for a living?"

@suebullmc
Excellent glad to hear that you all count on the most important helper God

@jiminkansas - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are certainly not alone with your Parkinson's diagnosis. This support group is full of others dealing with symptoms, lifestyle, exercise and balance, and caring for those with PD. Please go check out all the different discussions when you have a moment, if you've not already https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/parkinsons-disease/.

Which Parkinson's symptom has been challenging for you in 2025?

I've been diagnosed with PD for three years now. For most of that time I thought I was all alone. Just this morning I stumbled across this web sight of the Mayo Clinic. What a wonderful surprise it is to see the support that I have right at my finger tips. And then to be reminded of the gratitude list. THANK YOU ALL

What a great topic, @janna2. You have reminded us all of the many things to be thankful for as we end this year. Family, friends, and medical support improve our quality of life.

I, too, am grateful for Mayo Connect and the many virtual friendships and support that I've experienced here.

Best wishes to you for the new year, and may our gratefulness extend to 2026!

I am grateful that God choose Kevin for me this late in life. His health difficulties are something we deal with together. His faith is strong and we believe in the promises found in God’s word. But things do get tough so we must pull together. And we do!