Enduring Through Parkinson’s Disease

Sherri Woodbridge avatar

by Sherri Woodbridge |

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therapy and depression

Sherri Journeying Through

Someone once said, “Life is hard.”

Someone else said, “Life is hard, and then you die.”

Another said, “Life is hard, but God is good.”

That’s what I’m holding on to — the belief that although life is indeed hard, God is so very good. 

You awake refreshed to the sun on your face through the bedroom window. Outside, a nest of newly hatched finches wait for their morning feed. The moment you step out of bed, the hard part begins. The part where you remember that the car died last night; where you get to work early only to find out you’ve been laid off; where you receive a phone call filled with disturbing or life-altering news.

You step out of bed to conquer the first hurdle of the day, then face another day of hurdle-hopping gone awry. The frustration, grief, disappointment, and despair ooze into the tiny crevices of your heart and permeate your spirit.

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Sound fateful? Fateful and familiar and — dare we admit it – even hopeless? Hopeless as though you will never crawl out of the hole you’re in. A very dark place strewn with heartache, hurt, loneliness, and grief. Unexpected tragedies and unfulfilled expectations. It can appear as if our lives are desecrated by these negative feelings, and sometimes they don’t just seem to be – they are.

While we experience heartache and grief as we journey through death and disease, we are reassured that we don’t travel alone. While we walk uneven roads and pass through deep, dark valleys as we run the race set before us, we need to remember this: We have a God who will never leave us, forsake us, or forget us.

Life is hard, but as one of my favorite Christmas cards reads, “The best days are yet to come.” Days filled with unquenchable joy. We thought we couldn’t endure a life with Parkinson’s disease, but we are enduring because He is journeying with us. Never leaving us, never forsaking us, never forgetting us, always with us. Just as He promised.

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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.

Comments

Andrew avatar

Andrew

Thanks for the encouragement. I could not agree more. I find it important to remind myself of these kinds of things,especially when I'm having an off day.

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Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Thanks for your comment, Andrew!

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Gunars Tabaks avatar

Gunars Tabaks

I totally agree! If you are alive, you can be assured that you will face many difficult and burdensome situations that will effectively swamp you with overwhelming and undue force, but even the most brutally fearsome situations we could ever possibly face, become small ineffectual "blips" in our lives, that we easily bat aside as we walk hand in hand with God!

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Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Thanks for the encouraging comment!

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MaryAnn Cavanaugh avatar

MaryAnn Cavanaugh

Thank you for this inspiring message. Love your articles!

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Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Thank you for your encouraging comment!

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Heather Barnes avatar

Heather Barnes

I’m going through a bad patch whilst trying to piece my life back together, somehow I go two steps forward and one back. But I do believe in god and he is by my side!

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beth avatar

beth

My dad has just been diagnosed with parkinson's disease and I am only 16 and he is only 50. Some days I find it hard to accept and worry for my fathers future as well as mine.

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Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Bethany - i am so sorry to hear about your dad. I don’t know how it feels to be on the other side of this disease, but i can imagine. you are so young to carry such a large burned and if I were you, i would try to get into a support group as soon as possible. If you contact the Parkinson’s Foundation, they may be able to steer you into a group close to you. Another way to get into a group through Facebook. There are several different groups on there for support, caregivers, and information. Just type Parkinson’s disease into their search bar and several groups will show up. In terms of your dad, is there anyone else in your hope that you are able to share your feelings with? Are you his caregiver? What stage does his doctor say he’s in? Try not to think the worst even though at times it is easy to do. Try to get him to a Movement Disorder Specialist if he is seeing just a neurologist. They will prove to be most useful to him and to you. Every person’s experience is different. Your dad may have many, many good years to go. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected]. —sherru

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mary laney avatar

mary laney

Bethany, you are not alone so please seek help in support groups as sherri has advised. you can even join them online anonymously and participate in their helpful discussions. Do not fear, my dear for your father is in a better situation than any of us who were diagnosed before him. There are so many new advancements in the treatment of parkinsons now more than ever that may eventually cure and not just offer symptomatic relief. There are clinical trials in stem cell and gene therapies right now that seem very promising and at this point we can only pray that they will be the cure we are all hoping for. So do not despair for God will mercifully take us out of this darkness soon. May you and your family have a blessed Merry Christmas!

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Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Thank you so much, Mary, for your comment to Bethany. God bless you!

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Nancy Kobylarz avatar

Nancy Kobylarz

Iwish I could believe. I do not feel God's love. He has turned his face away from me, I feel alone.

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Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Nancy - you can message me if you like and i’d Be happy to chat with you: [email protected]

God does not turn from us or leave us. You are not alone. I promise. What we feel isn’t always how things really are. Don’t give up. You are not alone.

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