She sees ability to still exercise as a blessing
Dora Leonard
Fort Myers, Florida
Year of diagnosis: 2013
Exercise of choice: Any form of exercise that I am capable of: zumba, boxing, running, hiking, kayaking, pickleball, tennis, pingpong, dancing.
Favorite outdoor exercise: Definitely pickleball and hiking
Favorite place to hike: Tallulah Gorge in Georgia
Toughest hike and why: Yosemite Falls Trail. The terrain was tougher than what I am used to. It was steep and slippery.
Most proud of related to outdoors: I haven’t lost my balance in the last eight years. Before I started on meds, I had no balance. I fell all the time. It was not good. I just had to lean over the oven a little, and the momentum of leaning would cause me to lose my balance and fall into the oven. (My husband banned me from cooking. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing.)
Outdoor or exercise gear that is a must: The most important exercise gear is a good pair of hiking and gym shoes.
Advice for someone recently diagnosed who wants to stay active: Exercising is a MUST!! You have to stay committed to working out every day. Find something that you truly enjoy and that makes exercising not as tedious. I have a great Zumba instructor and I love to dance. So I have no issues going to Zumba every day.
Advice for someone with PD who is just starting to exercise: Be patient with yourself. The first couple of exercises may be hard, but with repetition of your workouts, your muscle memory will kick in and help.
Biggest challenge with Parkinson’s right now: Although by the grace of God I was able to slow down the progression significantly and reverse several of my early symptoms, I still face the challenges of dyskinesia, a side effect of taking Carbidopa/Levodopa for eight years. The dyskinesia is not constant; it comes and goes depending on if I am stressed or tired.
How I try to stay positive: My relationship with Jesus Christ. I just pray a lot, read the Bible, and stay surrounded by family and friends who all love on me. I am very blessed, and I feel Jesus by my side throughout my journey with living with PD for the past 13 years.
Other interests/hobbies: Shell painting, playing the piano even though it’s hard now as the rigidity of my fingers is bad, and traveling to new places.
Career field: I am 62 and retired from teaching in an elementary school in a NW suburb of Chicago.
Something the world should know: Never give up and trust God. That is my wish for people with PD. God’s blessings to everyone.
How to find me online: on TikTok as LivingWellWithParkinsons
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If you have Parkinson’s and the outdoors and exercise are part of your life, you could be featured in Unshakable Voices, too. Email unshakablehiker@gmail.com.