How I’m changing my mindset to realize my full potential

In the fall of 1986, I worked as a chef at the Black Swan Café in London, Ontario, Canada. The café was on Richmond Street, one of the city’s busier streets for restaurants and retail. We were excited because Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour would be coming through town, right in front of the café.

Hansen was wheeling his wheelchair around the world to demonstrate the potential of people with disabilities, raise awareness for accessibility, and find a cure for paralysis after his spinal cord injury. He has an incredible story of resilience and empowerment.

The restaurant had floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out on the street, and crowds were inside drinking coffee, eating muffins, and waiting to catch a glimpse of Hansen. The other chef and I had what we thought was a great idea: We’d personally deliver a butter tart to Hansen as he wheeled past. Who doesn’t like butter tarts? He’d love it!

We maneuvered our way through the crowded restaurant, confident about our plan. He was coming down the street, everyone craning their necks to see him, and … whoosh! He flew past the restaurant at warp speed. Standing there with the butter tart, we were left in Hansen’s dust, completely stunned. That guy could move! He was powerful and a force to be reckoned with.

As we stood there, gobsmacked, we realized that we’d completely underestimated him. We would’ve had to throw that butter tart like an Olympic discus for him to get it!

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We can achieve more than we think

Have you ever underestimated yourself because you have Parkinson’s disease? Or have you ever felt that somebody underestimated you simply because you have the condition? I sure have. We need to change our perspective and realize that we all have the potential to achieve great things, regardless of our circumstances.

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, I had no idea what was going to happen. I vacillated among “I’m going to die,” “I can’t do that,” and “No way, I’m too tired.” Because of Parkinson’s, I underestimated myself and what I was capable of. I think that’s a dangerous zone to be in. The less I make myself do, over time, the less I can do. I need to be challenged.

A few weeks ago, our walking group for people with Parkinson’s was on our usual Tuesday afternoon stroll. I started this group a couple years ago after I had deep brain stimulation. We meet every Tuesday to walk and talk, providing one another with support and encouragement.

On this day, we decided to walk to a local coffee shop. One of the walkers, who’s in her 80s, sat down once we got there and declared that it was the farthest she’d walked in years. She was slightly out of breath, but also pleased with herself. She didn’t underestimate her abilities because of Parkinson’s disease, even though that would’ve been an easy out for her. She was cheerful and smiling — a real trooper!

Even though I move slowly, speak slowly, swallow pills slowly, eat slowly, and drink slowly, nothing is slow inside me. Please don’t underestimate me. Even though I know I’m asking for trouble as I write this statement, please push me harder. I refuse to let my Parkinson’s be an excuse. Even though sometimes I need a break, and usually a nap, I can still do most things once I’ve wrapped my mind around them.

In the words of Hansen, “The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break.”

That’s is the mindset I’ve adopted, and it’s empowered me to achieve more than I thought possible. Cue the music from “St. Elmo’s Fire.”

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, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.