Getting a diagnosis of Parkinson’s is life changing and not everyone handles it the same way. Some choose to share it with loved ones right away, and we’ve spoken to others who have kept it to themselves for years. While there’s no one right way to do it, two Davis Phinney Foundation Ambassadors share when and how it worked for them.
In this video, Tom talks about why he wanted to share his diagnosis from the very beginning.
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What to say
Prior to losing consciousness, the remarks by the anesthetist were directed about Parkinson’s as I worked at positioning myself on the operating table. She made negative remarks about the devastating disease and how it robs a person of abilities to do things.
Of course, I was a goner before there could have been any kind of response. She was behind my shoulder so there was no eye contact. This moment was gone forever. This operation was to remove an arthritic cyst from a finger—nothing to do with my state of chronic disease.
In retrospect as I type this using the thumb of my bandaged right hand and pecking out these words with my left hand fingers, I’m expressing my response to her comments:
“Maybe your approach to someone living with Parkinson’s should be: ‘I hope you are finding a way to live well today.’ “
Judith, that sounds like the perfect response and one that many would benefit from hearing. I hope your finger heals quickly. Thank you for reading.