I thought I’d write some things that my outlandishly, standoutish wild coat has taught me. This is what brings me great joy whenever I put it on or have a new friend put it on.
First, it is colorful, drawing some amount of attention and it reminds me of the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors that his father gave to him. Although I’m sure it was a treasured item (because his father gave it to him), it caused some bad feelings with his brothers and ultimately was the straw that broke their backs. That coat brought Joseph adversity from his brothers and he ended up sold into slavery.
Joseph overcame that adversity and became a personal servant of the queen only to end up in jail over a misunderstanding. He overcame that as well and became the right hand man of the ruler after interpreting a dream.
All that started with - Yep in a way.
When I thought about it, wearing that coat kind of parallels having Parkinson’s. The symptoms eventually make us stand out; we may be ridiculed by others for standing out in an unusual way. But I’m here to tell you, PD may be an adversity we face, but we can turn it into an advantage in our lives if we just keep a positive attitude. My Parkinson’s has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people. It has helped me move out of a comfort zone into an active roll in the effort to fundraise for a cure and it has helped me become more attentive to life around me and more compassionate to others.
Second, makes me stand out and gives me an opportunity to tell others why PD makes us stand out. At firs, it’s an uncomfortable feeling you can have from standing out when you put on. - kind of like when you first find out you have PD.
You wonder how people will accept you. I’ve found people who, though they really don’t find that appealing, will still put it on as a form of acceptance for me. It also gives me a chance to tell them this may be I have to wear for now - a disease I have to live with for now and with that, it will make me stand out when my symptoms flair up. But, while I’m standing out, I’m going to take the opportunity to tell people about PD and let them know what it’s like,. Hopefully, they’ll be more inclined to support a cure.
Third, has become somewhat of a trademark or a way I am recognized–as a really crazy parkie lady! I even had my picture included in a published book called Proud Hands of Parkinson’s, wearing and a clown wig. Proud Hands includes stories of 28 people whose lives have been impacted by Parkinson’s. I’ve subtitled my personal page, Proud Coat of Parkinson’s after receiving the book.
I’m learning that PD is kind of like life while I’m wearing this wild coat. PD is unique to me and I’m learning to be more comfortable in it. I mean, just think of these other people who have trademark clothing or accessories and how well associated they have become with them: Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans, Mr Rodger’s and his cardigan sweaters. ELVIS and… enough said, Mr. T and his pile of gold jewelry, Minnie Pearl and her hat with the hanging price tag, Barney Fife and his gun with no bullet, Granny and her long dress and spectacles from Beverly Hillbillies, and what about Tarzan and his loincloth? And soon to be added to the list …Judy with PD and her multi-colored coat.
So, as you can see, The Coat has provoked a lot of feelings and emotions —just like having PD does.
Judy
I thought I’d write some things that my outlandishly, standoutish wild coat has taught me. This is what brings me great joy whenever I put it on or have a new friend put it on.
First, it is colorful, drawing some amount of attention and it reminds me of the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors that his father gave to him. Although I’m sure it was a treasured item (because his father gave it to him), it caused some bad feelings with his brothers and ultimately was the straw that broke their backs. That coat brought Joseph adversity from his brothers and he ended up sold into slavery.
Joseph overcame that adversity and became a personal servant of the queen only to end up in jail over a misunderstanding. He overcame that as well and became the right hand man of the ruler after interpreting a dream.
All that started with - Yep in a way.
When I thought about it, wearing that coat kind of parallels having Parkinson’s. The symptoms eventually make us stand out; we may be ridiculed by others for standing out in an unusual way. But I’m here to tell you, PD may be an adversity we face, but we can turn it into an advantage in our lives if we just keep a positive attitude. My Parkinson’s has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people. It has helped me move out of a comfort zone into an active roll in the effort to fundraise for a cure and it has helped me become more attentive to life around me and more compassionate to others.
Second, makes me stand out and gives me an opportunity to tell others why PD makes us stand out. At firs, it’s an uncomfortable feeling you can have from standing out when you put on. - kind of like when you first find out you have PD.
You wonder how people will accept you. I’ve found people who, though they really don’t find that appealing, will still put it on as a form of acceptance for me. It also gives me a chance to tell them this may be I have to wear for now - a disease I have to live with for now and with that, it will make me stand out when my symptoms flair up. But, while I’m standing out, I’m going to take the opportunity to tell people about PD and let them know what it’s like,. Hopefully, they’ll be more inclined to support a cure.
Third, has become somewhat of a trademark or a way I am recognized–as a really crazy parkie lady! I even had my picture included in a published book called Proud Hands of Parkinson’s, wearing and a clown wig. Proud Hands includes stories of 28 people whose lives have been impacted by Parkinson’s. I’ve subtitled my personal page, Proud Coat of Parkinson’s after receiving the book.
I’m learning that PD is kind of like life while I’m wearing this wild coat. PD is unique to me and I’m learning to be more comfortable in it. I mean, just think of these other people who have trademark clothing or accessories and how well associated they have become with them: Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans, Mr Rodger’s and his cardigan sweaters. ELVIS and… enough said, Mr. T and his pile of gold jewelry, Minnie Pearl and her hat with the hanging price tag, Barney Fife and his gun with no bullet, Granny and her long dress and spectacles from Beverly Hillbillies, and what about Tarzan and his loincloth? And soon to be added to the list …Judy with PD and her multi-colored coat.
So, as you can see, The Coat has provoked a lot of feelings and emotions —just like having PD does.
Judy