Saturday, April 28, 2018
Central Park, New York
 |
| Margaret Swope |
Help me raise funds and awareness for Parkinson's disease research!
I have signed up to walk and fundraise for the Parkinson's Unity Walk which will be held in New York's Central Park.
As far
as I can remember, I have always been athletic. To find out that I had
Parkinson's Disease in 2004, was a total surprise! I had to learn everything
that I could about this disease. I read everything and went to many seminars
and have and still do participate in Clinical Trials. After
reviewing my medical records it was determined that I had tremors in 1987, at
age 38 years old. I can no longer smell, I drag my left legs often. I loose my
balance but I do enjoy dancing. If I fall, I get right back up.
Many things happen to a person with Parkinson's Disease. As of
this date, there is no cure, just medicine and/or DBS to help. I can not have
DBS because of the damage done from my previous stroke in the area where the
surgery would take place. I am getting ahead of myself.
Then came the major stroke in 2004, after my Parkinson's disease
diagnosis. How could this happen? Paralyzed on my left side. I had to
learn how to speak, chew and swallow foods, regain all movements on my
left side including using my hand and fingers to pick up things, legs and feet
to move, stand, learn balance and walking., rebuilding the muscles. I won't get
into that.
It took a year of 3 to 4 hours each day of all kinds of
therapies. I had a blood clot in a vein burst in my brain. I thank
God that I was able to get back to 99% of me. I have had 4 major
surgeries for female problems, beginning in 1981 and so far no more since
2009.
In 2010, we (My husband and I) purchased a motor coach and
traveled over the US spreading the word about Parkinson's disease and
passing out brochures We no longer have the motor coach.
When
I was diagnosed with Dystonia of the feet and calves, I thought ok, I have
had enough. Surely, nothing else will happen. But I was wrong, more would
come. I lost the bone in my lower jaw and ended up with cadaver bone, implants,
and gums, and snap in lower dentures. I have had 6 other surgeries adding more
bone and gum. Through all of this, I continue to feel totally BLESSED!
I used to be shy, but I give seminars on Parkinson's Awareness and continue to copy and paste the daily updates of news on this blog for all to read.
I
Thank God for helping me. Of course I have pity me times, and say, Why Me,
Lord? I am human, but most of the time when this happens, I look in the mirror
and say, Why Not Me? I am a fighter and I will continue to fight this
disease called Parkinson's Disease. I continue to exercise and meditate.
I have signed up to walk and fundraise for the Parkinson's Unity Walk which will be held in New York's Central Park.
As far
as I can remember, I have always been athletic. To find out that I had
Parkinson's Disease in 2004, was a total surprise! I had to learn everything
that I could about this disease. I read everything and went to many seminars
and have and still do participate in Clinical Trials. After
reviewing my medical records it was determined that I had tremors in 1987, at
age 38 years old. I can no longer smell, I drag my left legs often. I loose my
balance but I do enjoy dancing. If I fall, I get right back up.
Many things happen to a person with Parkinson's Disease. As of
this date, there is no cure, just medicine and/or DBS to help. I can not have
DBS because of the damage done from my previous stroke in the area where the
surgery would take place. I am getting ahead of myself.
Then came the major stroke in 2004, after my Parkinson's disease
diagnosis. How could this happen? Paralyzed on my left side. I had to
learn how to speak, chew and swallow foods, regain all movements on my
left side including using my hand and fingers to pick up things, legs and feet
to move, stand, learn balance and walking., rebuilding the muscles. I won't get
into that.
It took a year of 3 to 4 hours each day of all kinds of
therapies. I had a blood clot in a vein burst in my brain. I thank
God that I was able to get back to 99% of me. I have had 4 major
surgeries for female problems, beginning in 1981 and so far no more since
2009.
In 2010, we (My husband and I) purchased a motor coach and
traveled over the US spreading the word about Parkinson's disease and
passing out brochures We no longer have the motor coach.
When
I was diagnosed with Dystonia of the feet and calves, I thought ok, I have
had enough. Surely, nothing else will happen. But I was wrong, more would
come. I lost the bone in my lower jaw and ended up with cadaver bone, implants,
and gums, and snap in lower dentures. I have had 6 other surgeries adding more
bone and gum. Through all of this, I continue to feel totally BLESSED!
 |
| I used to be shy, but I give seminars on Parkinson's Awareness and continue to copy and paste the daily updates of news on this blog for all to read. |
I
Thank God for helping me. Of course I have pity me times, and say, Why Me,
Lord? I am human, but most of the time when this happens, I look in the mirror
and say, Why Not Me? I am a fighter and I will continue to fight this
disease called Parkinson's Disease. I continue to exercise and meditate.
My husband Larry, is my best friend.We
have been married for 52 plus years. In 1967 he joined the Marine Corps as an
enlisted Marine , then became a warrant officer 4 Selective and
retired as a Capt serving over 22 years. ( A Mustang). I am fortunate to have
the support of my family and friends.
I also have a maltese named Spencer who is my Service dog. God has truly blessed me and I am thankful. I am unable to smell and Spencer, saved me from an electrical fire.
He also can step on an emergency button to contact the monitoring company if an emergency should arise.
Parkinson's Awareness is important to
me. I continue to exercise, meditate and thank the Lord for each day. God
Bless our military and their families. God Bless the USA. Semper Fi !
I would appreciate your assistance in helping me raise funds (tax
deductible) for the Parkinson's Unity Walk in my name: Margaret Swope
Please go to:
http://support.unitywalk.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1004515&pg=personal&fr_id=1080
Thank
you so much!
I hope you continue to stop by and read my blog.
Please go to:
http://support.unitywalk.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1004515&pg=personal&fr_id=1080
Thank
you so much!
I hope you continue to stop by and read my blog.
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