[parkyshuffler]

Hi Ally, and everyone else who reads this:

So, I was diagnosed in 2019 and I was 43 at the time. The condition has progressed rather quickly in my opinion and I had DBS done in February this year because my “on” window was diminishing with respect to my medication. My wife started calling me this, almost as a term of endearment, and I liked it, naturally, because my wife would never dream of being mean, rude or insulting towards me or the condition. I’m always of the mindset that if you have a choice to be offended by something or not, I would choose NOT. And if you can choose laughter or anger, I would choose laughter. Every. Time. I have never even heard the term used negatively. HOWEVER, come on! Of all the things you could be bothered by??!!

Since there was no real opinion either way in my community when diagnosed, then I had the choice to make it a positive or a negative term literally! If you want to take it as an offence I guess that’s your choice and I’ll respect that – I would add a precaution though that if THIS offends you, I wouldn’t recommend going outside, turning on the tv, or interacting with many people in general, because that’s pretty thin-skinned, in my opinion. You might even be, dare I say it, perpetuating the negative stigma that you are thinking of.

Also, I like the humour approach to most things – if you can laugh at what vexes you, you’ve got the world by the tail. Please, to most of the world, this condition is so “new”, I believe we’re at a crossroads here and we could choose a negative image or a positive image with the term “Parky”.

Coming from a genuine, loving, transparent and good-natured environment, I’m going to take the high road on this one. I like the term Parky and will continue to spread a good example and hopefully change some minds, if needed, of the image. So much so, that I have written a bestseller, Chronicles of a Parky, it’s on Amazon right now if you like:). I recently presented the book, without a hint or mention of negativity of the term, at the Parkinson Society of British Columbia conference and it was well received.

Now having said that, there is always context, right? “My parky friend, Jason” vs. “That f***ing parky, Jason”. See the difference? Even still, I wouldn’t be offended, Jason or not. I simply don’t have the energy to waste on it😂

All the best to you and yours,

Parky Out!