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Love you, Mom

Sitting in a support group leader meeting for individuals effected with Parkinson’s a couple months ago someone said with a disease like this “you just have to assemble your team.”  Oh boy, did that statement resonate with me! I think today would be a more than appropriate day to share my thoughts on this statement.  Today is Mother’s Day and I can’t help but be reminded how important my support system has been in making me the person I am today. 

My mother is not an emotional woman, she is the strongest woman I know; I like to think that it takes a strong woman to raise one.  Even to this day there isn’t anything I wouldn’t tell my mother.  She is my best friend, now I do not have many friends as I’ve gotten older, I have learned the few friends I do have are more like family.  Often the ones who do not try or fade away are not meant to be in your life.  Family, however, now they are forever, and my family is one of a kind.  My father equally as strong as my mother is easily the most humble, kind and inspiring man you will ever meet was the first to notice my tremor. 

Essential Tremors is one of the most misdiagnosed conditions out there.  I have met individuals who 
have been diagnosed Parkinson’s, treated Parkinson’s then correctly diagnosed Essential Tremors.  Like I said my father was the first to notice my head tremor and I can distinctly remember going with my parents and sister to see multiple neurologists.  I was told, as a 13-year-old, I could have a brain tumor, cancer, or lupus to later discover is with ET (Scary stuff for anyone at any age to hear).  I still remember the amazing Pediatric Neurologist who gave me the diagnosis. 

There is such an importance in “assembling your team” whether it’s your family, your friends, your doctors or within your own mind.  The value in having a support system is irreplaceable and keeping that circle small is what makes it valuable.  Studies have shown that a support system can result in “higher levels of well-being, better coping skills and a longer/healthier life.” The goal here is only for a better you; so, work on assembling your team whether you feel you need to or not. It’ll create a better you. Make sure your circle is full of happiness, encouragement and whatever else you feel you need your in life for a better you!





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