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 I had hoped to gain around 500 readers when I started this blog but I now have128991 reads.  Thank you

A little bit of boxing helps the shakes go down

 Last evening I experienced an example of how vicious Parkinson's can be.  I reached for a bottle of water on my bedside table.  My hand started to shake uncontrollably.  This was not a tremor, it was an out and out crazy shake and I managed to knock the bottle of water off the table along with other things.  There was no controlling it, I just had to wait it out.  Eventually it subsided.  I hope never to encounter it again.

I wish I could return to boxing (balance issues).  I am sure it would help.  If you are interested in boxing, and live in or near Winnipeg, contact the CAO of U-TURN PARKINSON'S. His name is Tim, and he can be reached at 204.781.2327. Boxing (no bodily contact) seems to suppress the symptoms of Parkinson's.   All parkie patients and volunteers are welcome.

Go to their website https://www.uturnparkinsons.org for more info

HUH!

"Excessive drooling, called SIALORRHIA, is a common symptom of parkinson's and can cause awkwardness in social situations.  It ranges from mild wetting of pillow during sleep to embarrassing outpourings of saliva during unguarded moments."

Just another special gift from the gods.  If they chance to see me living a relatively normal life, they jump to the conclusion that I should now be given the appearance of a drooling moron. You know, to add to the shaking, loss of balance....etc......etc.....

As Thomas Beecham, conductor, said:

            "They are quite hopeless - drooling, 
             driveling, doleful, depressing, dropsical, drips"

HUH!!

Research Blues

Hello Parkies - ever been the subject of a research study?  I was one in a study to determine if coffee had a beneficial effect on PD. This first verse of a poem outlining the quirks of the study and its outcomes is to be found in the poem, "Research Blues" in my first book of poems, The Gate and Other Poems on a Life's Journey. (read all about the poem and the authors at "books.friesenpress.com")

Check out our wesite at "the gatepoetry.ca" where you will find the many booksellers who are carrying the book.  Locals note that the book is available at McNally Robinson. 

I'm in the laboratory 

research is necessary

Livin’ in a test tube

He's in the hall way

Looking for the payday

Man in a white coat

Pen out, pent up

Says he knows the reason

Coffee is in season

Local not global - well maybe

One reader pointed out that the reference to conservatism and stupidity was offensive.  I stand by my words except to qualify them by ensuring you they were not meant to apply globally but to a local education bill 64 and the morons who came up with it and the stupid conservatives who support (e) it.  It is a local issue.

But, come to think of it, it applies to all trump supporters and anti-vaxxers. The very essence of stupidity.  Would they not paint themselves as small "c" conservative.

I leave it to you to provide the answer.

Sex! Who needs it?

 I started to read my blog from the beginning and chanced upon a list of side effects of the drug, mirapex. There were a few involving sex.  Let me now expand on those effects as set put by the APDA

• Impaired sexual coordination: In general, slowed movements, muscle tremors, and rigidity can intrude upon one’s lovemaking abilities. The physical pain that may accompany such can also make sex painful or uncomfortable. Often fatigued and unable to control body movements, the person with Parkinson’s may find pleasures diminished as they are forced to be more passive.
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Since Parkinson’s Disease impacts the central nervous system, men with Parkinson’s Disease may find themselves unable to attain or maintain an erection, let alone ejaculate. Issues with blood circulation to the penis and pelvic muscles can further lend themselves to ED.
• Vaginal dryness: Women with Parkinson’s Disease may experience inadequate lubrication, the result of which is painful sex, with bladder infections quite common.
• Lack of climax: Between reduced sexual feeling and functioning, both sexes may not be able to attain orgasm, even when sexually active.
• Hypersexuality: While occurring in less than 1 percent of Parkinson’s patients, a person may develop a compulsive sex drive from antiparkinsonian medications (levodopa combined with a dopamine agonist).

Do I suffer from any of those side effects?  I will never tell, but if you see me acting strangely......well.....

"Sex: the pleasure is momentary, the position ridiculous, and the expense damnable."

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

There is danger in reckless change, but greater danger in blind conservatism (Henry George)

Henry George was a famous American journalist and economist in the 19th century.  I read about him around the same time as our premier, Pallister, announced he was not going to seek office in the next election.

Ding dong the witch is dead.  Which old witch?

I think you know which witch of which I speak.

Pallister and his iron fist are no longer a threat.  Now, we can fight Bill 64 (education reform???) without his reckless interference.  He conjured up a bill that would have completely revamped education in Manitoba and, he manufactured it without regard to majority input.

Perhaps the education system needs change, but Bill 64 would have only created more problems. To effect change, we should not rush into a plan like that proposed by the premier which seemingly was centered upon CONTROL.  We must take our time with public input and input by the experts....the educators.

Some British politician said something to the effect that conservatism does not trust the people and that distrust is tempered by fear. 

Rise up people.  You have nothing to fear but "fear itself" and isn't it good to talk about something other than PD.