I told my story; now here are a few from you

I have been working up a new feature on this blog, and it’s finally showing its faces. Yes, faces. They belong to readers with Parkinson’s disease who have some important things to say.

I’m excited to introduce “Unshakable Voices,” a place for vibrant people who live with PD to share what they’ve learned about staying active with a movement disorder.

In my previous three posts, I told the story of my six years since diagnosis: how I stay active, how Parkinson’s has brought about a change of mindset, and what I can and can’t do anymore.

But mine is only one story, and there are plenty of real people out there who have their own to tell. Unshakable Voices gives them that chance.

Why tell stories?

Storytelling is powerful communication. It passes along information that can motivate others to take action. It is a way listeners can walk in another’s shoes. It promotes new ideas and viewpoints to consider.

Perhaps most importantly, storytelling builds connections between individuals. Though every person’s experience with Parkinson’s disease is different, people living with PD also share common threads within their stories.

Some of those threads? 

“Why did I get this disease?”

“Parkinson’s is a one-way ticket to worse.”

“Who will care for me?”

“This disease sucks.”

“I am more than my Parkinson’s.”

There are others, but, in short, sharing your experience is a service to others who are desperately trying to understand their disease themselves.

As author/songwriter Morgan Harper Nichols said, “Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide.”

All of us with Parkinson’s disease have metaphorical mountains to climb. 

Perhaps you would like to tell your story. Or maybe you know someone who would tell theirs.

If you enjoy the outdoors, try to exercise regularly, and stay as active as the Parkinson’s grip on you will allow, consider adding your Unshakable Voice to the others already published.

Email me at unshakablehiker@gmail.com.

And check out the stories being told so far right here.