Parkinson’s vs. Birthday

Today was my birthday. I’m trying to remember what my birthday was like before Parkinson’s. This is my 10th birthday since my diagnosis and I keep thinking my birthday was somehow better before Parkinson’s. I want to blame Parkinson’s for any misery and pain of the past 10 years. Don’t get me wrong, it caused some pain and misery over the past 10 years, but birthdays have been so much richer. Time with family, pre-printed cards from my tax advisor with his stamped signature, delicious cakes and cupcakes, a present or two (usually Starbuck’s gift cards), and non-malignant growths all over my body.

So while Parkinson has brought a lot of negative, aging in and of itself a lot has brought on some negative too.  Especially the pre-printed cards from professionals who I now pay to help me do things I used to do myself. You would think with all the money I pay them they could take five seconds to sign their signature or at least have their assistant forge it. At least Parkinson’s doesn’t need an assistant with a computerized calendar to remember my birthday!