Where do I Start?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) – well, where do I start?
I was diagnosed at age 30 and it broke my heart.
Some dark days then followed and the tears they came fast.
I really didn’t know how long these fears would last
Thoughts spinning around in my head every day.
When was this feeling going to go away?
Was this a dream, I would often ask?
Oh no, love. It’s real and it’s going to last.
Well someone best pinch me and wake me up quick,
Because I’m gonna need some help to get through this hard bit.
What hard bit? I thought and took some deep breaths.
I can do this with help from my love ones I know.
Because they won’t let me put on a bloody poor show.
They can stand by my side and follow each step,
On this journey I take
no matter how hard things will get.
Their hearts bursting with joy for what they can see:
A girl with an attitude that this won’t get me!
Those dark days are gone and return only infrequently.
I may have PD but that doesn’t mean PD has got me.
Next month it will be my 10 years anniversary.
So I write this poem for all to see.
Please don’t judge a book by its cover,
There are many layers to me.
I’m a mum, a wife, have friends and family.
I also have something that is called PD.
Externally you may not see that this thing exists,
But believe me it’s tough when my body’s in bits.
My body won’t function just as it should.
I think I’m only 40 and I wish that it would.
I work hard everyday to keep this demon at bay.
Taking pills with some water at least 3 times a day.
These pills keep me ticking along on my way.
I hope that a cure will be found someday,
in a laboratory setting by someone called Ray!
Ray will bring sunshine upon our dark days.
We will thank this young scientist and her work will be done.
People’s suffering will then be long gone.
Please don’t be sorry, that’s not what I ask.
Just be yourself around this Yorkshire lass.
My positive thinking is what’s got me through
and having people around me who care just like you.
Another 10 years won’t be easy to do.
But I don’t give up easy and you know that is true.
Together we can kick PD into touch,
But it won’t go away I can tell you that much.
I thank you for listening and hope when you see me,
You remember that sometimes things aren’t always easy.
When Ray comes along I will give you a shout
And you can help celebrate when we take her out!