In December of 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). As the Neurologist explained my options, my wife Kerry rubbed my back in an attempt to soften the blow. It didn’t work! The doctors words were inaudible to me. I looked into Kerry eyes and whispered, “I knew it was Parkinson’s.” I was now experiencing the first of the 5 stages of grief: denial. Months later things would drastically change.
There was a gentleman at our church (Ron) who had advanced Parkinson’s, I tried to avoid him at all costs, for fear of seeing myself in the not so distant future. In my ignorance I was intimidated by his dyskinesia. A few Sundays later, Kerry walked up to me and said, “Richard, this is Ron.” After a firm hand shake and five minutes of conversation, I found myself somehow firmly planted into Stage 5 of grief: acceptance. Stage 2 (anger), Stage 3 (bargaining) and Stage 4 (depression) were now buried deep into the past.
My Pastor, Larry Jung, approached me one Sunday and suggested I start a support group for those with Parkinson’s, and their caregivers. Kerry and I started a PD support group in our living room.
My church, 1st Presbyterian of Jacksonville, became our group’s sponsor and Pioneer Village Senior Living facility donated their Media (TV) room for our bi-monthly gatherings. Remember, we have big ears for listening and broad shoulders for leaning on.
If you have Parkinson’s or are a Caregiver for someone with PD, you are welcome to join us at 2pm, on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at Pioneer Village, 805 N. 5th St., Jacksonville, OR., 97530, 541-702-4521.
For more information, please contact Richard S. Hunter at 520-245-4507 or richardstevenhunter@gmail.com.