My Parkinson's La La Land - A Survival Tactic?!

I call this state of mind My Parkinson's La La Land for the reasons I discuss in the video. My Parkinson's La La Land is part of my mental health ninja, a survival tactic that helps me keep my head up and doing all I can to smile every day despite having this disease that's eating away at my brain. Thank you as always for watching and your comments!! ❤️
My Substack The Dill Pickle
thedillpickle.substack.com/
My Website
www.thewigglesproject.com

[@SDWP]

You deserve to be there just as much as any other person. I saw an interview with a guy who has Parkinson’s and does stand up comedy. He gets up there and makes all kinds of Parkinson’s jokes and everyone seems to enjoy themselves. By him doing that and you telling the poker players you have Parkinson’s, you’re also educating other people about it. It’s good for them to know that you can still get out and have fun despite the crazy movements. I vote you stay in la la land and live your best life.

[@jeanettemosey1]

Regarding making other people feel uncomfortable, I actually think you are doing them a favour by getting out and about and living your life as you wish. I have noticed that people are uncomfortable around situations that they haven't experienced before. For example, how do you talk to someone in a wheelchair? People, without meaning to, can be overly patronising because they feel sympathy, but it comes out all wrong. Other people, who also feel sympathy, turn away and don't engage. But once you are exposed to that situation enough, it becomes normalised, and you can finally treat that person as just another person, which I believe is what we all want. We don't want to make others uncomfortable around us, we want them to see who we really are. So, by exposing people to the discomfort, they will gradually get used to it, and they will take that new insight into the rest of their lives, and other social relationships.

[@JohnMcCreery]

Two days ago I was grilling franks on sticks for a community festival. Temperature 36°C (98.4°F). Yesterday was totally out of it. Feeling a bit better today.

[@anthonylawlor2904]

Thanks for posing this question, Jenn. Other individuals' response to us has to do with their ways of seeing the world and little to do with us. If a person is repulsed or frightened by seeing a person's tremor, dyskinesia or freezing gait it probably has triggered their fears of illness or mortality. That said, I can fall into a "La La Land" of worrying whether I will be able to walk across a room in public without my steps freezing. I can be by myself and walk perfectly well. A few moments later, I can encounter a group of people, my feet freeze and they are asking me if I need help. If I am understanding you, Jen, my La La Land is the space in my mind where I hide or get lost that triggers or intensifies my symptoms.

[@guynall4025]

I have anxiety and when I was told in February by my neurologist that I have Parkinson’s I thought that was it for me but now I make light of it such as I had a MRI of my brain the other day when they said nothing there I said I knew you would not find a brain. And I work the floor at a casino I tell my guess if I start walking in circles they may win a jackpot it’s just my way of coping

[@KristiJohnson-yo4hh]

My sister has Parkinson's, just turned 83 last week. I believe she's had it for years prior to being diagnosed. I recently moved her to the apartment beneath mine so I could help more. She's been dysregulated for so long, been trying to get her to keep a better schedule with consistent sleep, med times, senior day care 5 days a week- etc. It's quite stressful for both of us. Waiting for an appt with a movement specialist, hoping for DBS or focused ultrasound. The side effects of the meds are hard. Over the past five years with diet changes etc. she's dropped 137 pounds. If she does any sugar not close to a meal, she see's things that aren't there and argues with them. I finally got the day care people to honor the carb rule and it helps. Thanks for sharing your journey! I think my sister is doing a really good job of containing the terror she must feel.

[@davidhughes5998]

Good for you to be able to focus on other things aswell as parkinsonism. Lala land is fine to help you cope. Thanks

[@MikeMercury]

dont forget youre a champion dealing with pd

[@tibebu7084]

I don't know much about poker but casinos usually increase my anxiety and make my meds less effective and go on to off state sooner. I'm thinking it's hard to put on your poker face when you've been dealt a great hand and have to hide your emotions. I'll probably start sweating or madly dyskonetic 😂

[@kathieb8104]

Jennifer, I like your La La Land and my happy level goes up when I read whatever is your latest article.

[@alittlebitshaky]

“There is a pleasure sure in being mad which none but madmen know”.

[@JeremyMcdonald]

Love ya, Jenn!

[@terrident4360]

Jennifer, you should absolutely go to the poker tournament. You are positive and pleasant no bad energy coming from you. It sounds so exciting and sounds like you love it. Go and have a great time, it's Vegas!

[@rogerokelley]

First of all. WOW. Thank you so much for the Golden Gate Bridge clip. Watched it on larger screen Tv. So thoughtful and I Loved it 🎉🎉.

[@staceyconroy1630]

In addition to this new journey, I was born legally blind and with albinism, I've had people staring my entire life, I've had people worry about me as I go downhill skiing or repelling off of a cliff face, or riding roller coasters. Just the other day I was having trouble crossing a street simply because there was a lot of two-way traffic, a gentleman stopped his van and got out to assist me, I let him and I thanked him.

[@bonnieschwartz8087]

Love being in PD La La land... totally get it. I am not there all the time, but hang out there often. I just cannot stay mired in PD info, webinars, etc... for long stretches. Just need a break off & on. I think it's healthy to forget about PD once in while if possible. I am fortunate to still be able to do so. Poker? Hell yes if you want to and enjoy it. I'll take paddle boarding and XC skiing. ❤

[@ScottJWilson420]

Hi new subscriber from Topeka. I noticed your Blind Tiger Brewery shirt on a2yr old video. Cool

[@kendc4725]

Another thought-provoking one! Knowing the whole landscape, but homesteading in la-la-land sure isn’t a bad idea. Spent last week on a beautiful sandy beach. When PD angst tried to bubble up, I’d breathe in the salt air, look around and decide to stay in the moment. Maybe my head was/is buried in a little of that sand, but that’s fine with me. So - I vote for you to press on with the poker tournament, if it’s what you’d like to do, so long as the stress is outweighed by the enjoyment of it. And, who really cares what others at the table think. You have Parkinson’s … and they’ll just have to deal (pun intended)!

[@toniwickard2115]

My significant was diagnosed a year ago at age 59 but unfortunately buries his head :( How old are you and how long have you had it? I really learn things from your videos; thank you

[@jnm.624]

I'd would rather be singing "Happy" than "Let It Be" energy creates energy!!