judy4etsu's Journal

  Look out gang i'm on an inspired push to journal now.  So i thought i'd first write some  things that my outlandishly standoutish wild coat has taught me.  See my journal entry 10/17 for story behind the Coat!  This is the coat that brings me great joy whenever I put it on or have a new friend put it on.

  First the coat is colorful and draws some attention, and it reminds me of the bible story of Joseph and the coat of many colors his father gave him.  And although I'm sure it was a treasured item because his father gave it to him, it caused some bad feelings with his brothers and ultimately was the straw that broke their backs.  That coat brought Joseph adversity from his brothers; he ended up sold into slavery.  He overcame that and became a personal servant of the queen only to end up in jail over a misunderstanding.  He overcame that and became the right hand man of the ruler after interpreting a dream.  All that started with the coat?  yep in a way.

   When I thought about it ...wearing that  coat kind of parallels having Parkinson's.  The symptoms eventually make us stand out; we may be ridiculed by others for standing out in an unusual way.  But I'm here to tell you, PD may be an adversity we face, but we can turn it into an advantage in our lives if we just keep a positive attitude.  My Parkinson's has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people; it has helped me move out of a comfort zone into an active roll in the effort to fundraise for a cure; and it has helped me become more attentive to life around me and more compassionate to others.

  Next, the coat makes me stand out and gives me an opportunity to tell others why PD makes us stand out.  It is at first an uncomfortable feeling you have from standing out when you  put the coat on....kind of like when you first find out you have PD.  You wonder how people will accept you.  I've found people who really don't find the coat that appealing will still put it on as a form of acceptance for me.  It also gives me a chance to tell them this may be the coat I have to wear for now, a disease I have to live for now.... with that will make me stand out when my symptoms flair upt.  But while I'm standing out, I'm gonna take the opportunity to tell people about PD and let the know what it's like, and hopefully they'll be more inclined to support a cure.

  Third, the coat has become somewhat of a trademark or way I am recognized--as a really crazy parkie lady!  I even had my picture in the coat and a clown wig included in a published book called "Proud Hands of Parkinson's" that includes stories of 28 people whose lives have been impacted by Parkinson's.  I've subtitled my personal page after getting the book "Proud Coat of Parkinson's"  lol.  But I'm learning that like wearing this wild coat, that it is kind of like life with PD.  My PD is unique to me and I'm learning to be more comfortable in it.  I mean, just think of these other people who have trademark clothing or accessories and how well associated they have become with them:  Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans, Mr Rodger's and his cardigan, ELVIS--enough said, Mr. T and his pile of gold jewerly, Minnie Pearl and her hat with the hanging price tag, Barney Fife and his gun with no bullet, Granny and her long dress and and spectacles from Beverly Hillbilies, and what about Tarzan and his loincloth, Daniel Boone and his coonskin hat, and Batman with his hooded face cover and those gloves and shoes?  Soon to be added to the list Judy with  PD and the multicolored coat.  LOL  

  I have a little more to share but will save it for another entry.  This one is getting long.  But now do you see?  the coat is not just one dimensional; it encompasses alot of feelings and emotions ---just like having PD does.

  I hope you all have a great day and will check back soon for part 2 of the lessons from the Coat!  How did you like the multicolor typing?  lol

judy