Nevertheless, navigate these relationships you must and you will, one way or another.
you might choose to be proactive and positive in your approach to others.
Start by deciding how you want your relationships to grow over the course of your disorder.
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You do not want to apologize for your disorder.
It isnot your fault.
It happened, and now all of those around you oughta come to terms with it.
The one exception to this rule?
You will need to find a way to help children come to terms with your illness.
But adults should have the grace not to burden you with unnecessary outbursts of anger or denial.
Your Parkinson’s is now a fact of your life and it must be accepted.
Those stages, however, should not continue indefinitely.
Your loved ones need to learn thatyou are still youand that the relationship can still go on.
Why should a relationship with someone who has Parkinson’s be any different?
Those close to you must further decide how involved they can be in your care when you need help.
The work you must do on all of your relationships is different.
You must learn how to maintain your relationships despite being relentlessly pursued by your disease.
You will need to find ways to nourish your spirit despite much adversity.
No one can tell you how to do this.
This person is the one who will witness your hardest moments and your brightest.
You also need to learn the ropes of coping with Parkinson’s together.
Your partner needs you and you need your partner.
Rejoice in that fact.
Believe it or not, Parkinson’s disease and its challenges can actually deepen and strengthen your relationship.
Parkinson’s disease can have an impact on the relationships you have sometimes for the good, sometimes not.
Give your partner room to voice frustrations not only with Parkinson’s disease but with you.
How do you feel about this?
How does your partner feel?
Talk it out and, if need be, talk it out with a counselor.
It is amazing how effective talking can be.
Just sharing feelings and fears can resolve a million problems.
Finally, attempt to maintain your independent lives.
Dont allow your partner to adopt a merecaretakingrole.
Partners should have their own friends and activities.
Encourage your partner to keep up those activities things that re-charge the batteries and feed the soul.
Having Parkinson’s does not mean you suddenly lose interest in everything and everyone else.
Keep up your hobbies and interests.
Parkinson’s can slow you down, but it cant keep you from growing intellectually and spiritually.
Some will gradually diminish their interaction with you.
Your friends will need to learn from you what you might do and what you might no longer do.
Your best bet in keeping those friendships healthy is to give your friends the clear facts about Parkinson’s.
You will be tempted to let people go, especially during those times when you feel down and out.
Your friends will bring you a lot of joy if you let them.
Keep yourself invested in all these relationships.
Go the extra mile and cultivate them with passion and energy.
Friends and family are the most important thing in life.
They can help you face and meet the challenge of Parkinson’s disease.
2016;28(2):541-546. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.541
