.: Drive Around the World :.

Occupation: Hug distribution officer, band-aid administrator, quarrel solver (mom)

Hometown: I grew up in Naperville, Illinois and moved to Upland, California in 6^th grade

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to nap. I wish I could say that I like to read or scrapbook or work out... but honestly I like to nap.

Do have a family? I am child number four of eight. I have 1 sister and 6 brothers. I am married and have four children ages 11, 9, 8 and 6.

When were you diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease? I was officially diagnosed at 32.

What were the first signs that something was wrong? I was at work trying to engrave a baseball glove for a customer and my hand began to shake. I thought maybe I had pinched a nerve or maybe I was hungry or my blood sugar was low (Food solves a myriad of problems) I was able to shake it off but it kept reoccurring. My PCP said I had essential tremor. I asked to go to a neurologist at UCLA who told me I had a Parkinson-like tremor with no other symptoms of PD. I was pregnant at the time so the doctor told me to come back after I finished nursing the baby for another evaluation. My insurance changed in the meantime so I went to another neurologist about a year later at Loma Linda and he diagnosed me with PD. I was able to get a PET scan at UCLA in July of 1999 and it confirmed that I had been diagnosed correctly.

Where were you diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease? Loma Linda Medical Center by Doctor Swoop.

Before you were diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, did you know anybody that had it? I was familiar with MohamedAli and it was right around then that Michael J. Fox announced that he had it. A friend from church who was only a few years older than myself had recently been diagnosed.

What types of medications are you taking? I am on Requip, Amantdine, Lexapro and Provigil

Do you have plenty of access to medicines you need? We are blessed to have good insurance and haven't had any problems getting meds.

Has your life changed since you were diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease? If so how? I had to retire from my retail job of 20 years because it was too difficult to multitask and I was beginning to move much slower. I have a difficult time getting everything done (ie. Laundry, housework in general, helping with homework, etc.) On the positive side, I believe that God will use any circumstance we find ourselves in to mature us and refine us. God has taught me about being empathetic toward those with disabilities. This has helped me deal with my 8-year-old son who has cerebral palsy and my 6 year old who is autistic. God has taught me to look for the good in life.........to not hold on to bitterness.....to appreciate others.......to try to make a difference..........to pray more.....to accept help from others......and to laugh a lot.

What are the biggest challenges you face now that you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease? The biggest challenges have been not being able to be the mother that I would like to be. I always thought that I would be the room mother to all my children and be involved in Little League and still be able to have the ultra organized and beautiful home. I realize that is a near impossible dream for even a healthy mom. However, when you fall asleep reading to your children or find yourself snapping at them in frustration because you are just too tired to deal with their problems it tends to get me down. I think that the disease has caused me to become more introverted and definitely more distracted so I am not able to complete tasks or projects.

What would you like the general public to know about Parkinson's Disease? It is not just a disease for the elderly. Please remember that a person with PD is a person....a sister, a mom, a wife, a friend, a coworker, etc. We are more than just a wiggle. We like to laugh and to talk and to hang out. Sometimes we can be misunderstood especially if the disease has robbed us of our facial expression or our voice. Just remind us to talk louder instead of nodding knowingly and quickly walking away like we have the plague. Give us a little time because we are slower. It's okay to ask us questions about the disease or about how we cope or if we need assistance. It is okay to laugh at our jokes about being the next bobble head spokesmodel or getting a job at the lemonade shake-up stand. It's okay to feel awkward because we do too....let's just talk it out and grow together. Let's do what we can to work toward a cure.

What advice do you have for other people who have just been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease? Live your life!! Don't let it be the end of you! Learn what you can about the disease but don't project it upon yourself. Look for the blessings in your life and learn from the yucky stuff. Choose to be happy and content rather than negative and bitter and a whoa is me type person. Be transparent about the disease.....let people know what you are dealing with rather than trying to do it all on your own....Super Parky Person is not reality. Laugh a lot. Surround yourself with people who love you and with people who can relate to you.....ie. a support group or a church group, etc. Hey, maybe Super Parky Person would be a great Saturday morning cartoon......Strange wiggly visitor from a slower planet.....shuffling their way to fight for truth, justice and freedom from constipation.

"Hey, maybe Super Parky Person would be a great Saturday morning cartoon......Strange wiggly visitor from a slower planet.....shuffling their way to fight for truth, justice and freedom fromconstipation"