#59: The good and bad: Reactions from family & friends to my Parkinson's diagnosis

Telling family and friends about your diagnosis can be difficult. Did they deny it, accept it, or feel like they could fix it? Communicate, communicate, communicate!

[@Houston727Gal]

I'm so happy I found you guys! While technically not Young Onset, I'm 58 and find you to be more relatable than other support groups I've found - which is mostly elderly sufferers. My biggest wish - that there was a gym with this program close to me in Savannah!

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

Do you have anything close to you? I believe I know someone with PD in the Savannah area if you want me to connect you!

[@Houston727Gal]

@@thesecretlifeofparkinsons The closest I’ve found is 2 hours away in Jacksonville, FL. I’d love having a local connection!

[@1983mojo1]

I think I will show the video to my wife as a lot of your thoughts hit home for me and my PD. Thanks for sharing.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

I hope that goes well!

[@mom831]

You guys are doing a great job. Thank you.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

Thanks!

[@kissme4492]

53 male looks like I am 45 totally fit 6 pack stomach. Down with PD for 3 years now. Lost friends and social life. Pretty much disappeared just like that. Had everything going for me.

[@jnm.624]

Sorry to hear that? Are you being active? They're are more ppl in the world. Keep positive

[@Michael-he7xn]

Good stuff guys.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

Thanks!

[@pattirossiter1065]

I, like you Jessica, blame everything on Parkinson’s. Also, yesterday a friend said to me “well, hopefully you found it early.”

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

It's hard not to, right?!

[@sandysullivan8707]

Your videos are so helpful. Thank you for sharing your insights.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

You are so welcome!

[@shmatalady5082]

Thanks for these videos. I feel so alone with Parkinson’s even though I have a husband and two adults I live with. They don’t want to deal with it. I suffer from dyskinesia every single day. Considering DBS.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

We have a few podcasts on DBS. Check them out to learn a little more!

[@shmatalady5082]

Thank you very much@@thesecretlifeofparkinsons

[@Cabmaker]

I pretty much quit sharing anything about my pd with my non pd friends and some family members because they don’t get it ,and then I won’t get frustrated with them for not understanding.

[@julieanna8495]

Ok. I was taking a pill when the Guest said, “I like to pet Kevin.” Then Jessica quickly said, “Kevin is the dog.” 😂😁😆😭. It took all I could do NOT to spit out the water + pill in my mouth.🤣😂😆. Brian starts laughing. 👍🏼. The three of you are delightful. And yes, I have relatives in my life that try to downplay me having Parkinson’s. 😐. As if I CHOSE to have this thing and am somehow craving the spotlight.🙄🥺. But when I walk it becomes obvious that I have it. It’s like you said, all the other symptoms-shoulders and neck aching, feet hurting, etc…-they say it is just old age and they have that too. 🙁. That may be, but they do not have Parkinson’s. It is just different for us. I don’t want to be treated special, just don’t expect me to do things physically like throwing my usual holiday dinners like I used to, by myself. I just physically cannot do those things just to make things seem normal’ again. Heck, I cannot even walk to the table carrying heavy dishes of food like I used to. A cane is now involved. And no, we are not acting.🙁😔😐

[@jeancattoi2796]

It is nice to be asked how I feel.

[@mom831]

Can you add family members as guests so we can hear their struggles and perspectives bc Parkinson’s affects everyone that we love.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

Yes, I'd love to. It would be a difficult conversation and I have to find the right person who is willing to open up knowing that their loved one (the patient) will be listening.