Julie Maher

Freewater, OR

It was gradual and then seemed to landslide, the weakness and pain in my right shoulder to fingertips and also my right leg almost dragging, at age 45. I searched for answers with many different specialists. Reluctantly diagnosed at 50 I was a wreck. Living in a rural area there are limited resources and being a younger/healthy woman, Parkinson’s wasn’t on anyone’s radar. Attending a Davis Phinney conference in Portland 2 years after diagnosis, I found my community of early onset women (and men) and that was a huge sense of hope for me. Someone who “gets it!”. I no longer felt like I was the only one! I have been studying, listening, watching YouTube videos and webinars, attending meetings, and absorbing ALL things PD. I am interested in where PD stems from and ways to prevent it and view it as a syndrome that is on a wide spectrum. I also believe there will be a cure soon, and value knowing the ways to curb and modify it now. I reject the mindset: “We don’t know what causes it, it’s degenerative and there is no cure.” There are answers and I want to be part of that good news!

To me, Living Well is Socializing, keeping busy, and challenging myself to do what I may not feel like doing. Such as avoiding sugar and exercising. I have learned to trust my instincts. My neurologist said once: ‘You know your body better than I do so you tell me what you think is best with ____’ That was so amazing to me because it told me she respected my opinion on something I felt I had lost control over. After some time, I have learned that not everything is PD! Sometimes it is something else. It is hard to tell because I don’t know anything different now.

How often I get out to do things I used to do and how much I feel I get done daily are measurements of how well I am doing. I realize that I need to rest and give myself a break without feeling guilty about it. It’s just how it is now, and I may not like it, but I feel blessed and accept what is.

My friend, whom I admire in Eastern Oregon, has been an ambassador. I really do look to her to see how she is coping with all the aspects of PD. She has inspired me on countless occasions.

My friends and family are important to me. I have two grown sons. I spent many years watching them compete in wrestling, football, basketball, and track from grade school to college. I spend time reading, trying to cook and bake. The perfect Sunday would be a big cup of great coffee, riding the Peloton bike for 20 minutes, a quick drive to the mountains or around the countryside then watching a football game. During the summer we like to visit the Oregon coast more than once to cool off. I love Oregon! From the beaches and waterfalls to the many mountains. Picking huckleberries, fishing, boating and camping. It’s all here.

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