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Living With Parkinson's
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April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, and one-and-a-half million Americans suffer from the condition. Parkinson’s affects movement, speech, and can even make it impossible to smile. Despite the hurdles, one woman who was diagnosed with the disease in her 20s has found some “positives” of Parkinson’s. Kim Riemland reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Kirkwood, Missouri)
Sandi Gordon found out she had Parkinson’s disease when she was pregnant
with her fourth child.
Sandi Gordon/Parkinson’s Patient: “The average age is 60s and 70s, is
the onset. My onset was when I was in my 20s.”
Today, even making pizza dough is tough. Over the past 18 years,
Parkinson’s has made it more and more difficult for Sandi to walk, talk,
and control her movements… and raise her family.
Sandi Gordon/Parkinson’s Patient: “I wanted to scream and say, I, you
know, I can’t handle Parkinson’s.”
Simple things, like talking on the phone, can be frustrating.
Sandi Gordon/Parkinson’s Patient: “People on the phone are very rude to
me a lot of times, because they can’t understand what I’m saying. Rather
than just asking me to repeat, they just assume that I’m being--I don’t
know what they assume.”
Support group meeting: “Judy’s got a lot of experience, and she’s going
to tell you.”
Sandi founded a support group at her church, Kirkwood United Methodist,
near St. Louis. It’s grown from a half dozen members to a hundred.
The Rev. Sue Mitch/Pastor, Kirkwood United Methodist Church: “It helps a
lot of people to know you’re not alone in those kinds of situations.”
Sandi has written three books about dealing with this disease, too.
Sandi Gordon/Parkinson’s Patient: “I started praying to God, give me
purpose in my life, no matter what I have to deal with. And I felt like
that’s what happened when I started writing books.”
Members of her church admire her persistence.
The Rev. Sue Mitch/Associate Pastor, Kirkwood United Methodist Church:
“She inspires our women’s retreat every spring. She organizes it. She
runs it. She’s so deep.”
Choir director: “One, two.”
Sandi is also a member of her church’s hand bell choir. Despite her
physical challenges, she’s determined to make a joyful noise.
Sandi Gordon, Parkinson’s Patient:
“I want to be a light and shine. And hopefully people will think that
I’m inspiring because they have seen that light in me.”
TAG:
There’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease. But some of the symptoms can be
helped with medication and, in some cases, brain surgery.
To learn more about Sandy’s support group contact
Kirkwood United Methodist Church
at 314-966-8167, ext. 107.
For more information about Parkinson’s disease, you can visit the
National Institutes of Health Web site.