A tale of two bodies
Taos writer pens book about living with Parkinson’s disease
“Parkinson’s, this chronic, progressive, degenerative disease, is always with me. There is no cure. At least not yet. It compromises my balance; makes my movement slow, clumsy and uncoordinated; and periodically causes my legs to freeze up, imprisoning me in my own body. But its most pernicious aspect is its intrusion into my thoughts. With each movement, it commandeers my consciousness and triggers endless rumination. Though drug therapies may moderate my motor symptoms to a point and for a time, there’s no medication to block Parkinson’s invasion of my mind.”
And with that, retired forensic and consulting psychologist and teacher Robert Silver, PH.D., takes our hands leading us through his personal journey of dealing with Parkinson’s disease in his book, “Keepin’ On: Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease” (Nighthawk Press 2018).
Silver’s ups and downs, wins and losses, laughs and cries, and trials and errors are presented with a genuine wit, wisdom and sincerity.
His gifted way with words helps others in the same boat and their loved ones and caregivers. The book offers the rest of us an intimate look at the ailment most people associate with actor Michael J. Fox. Silver is a Team Fox member of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
“Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60,” according to information at michaeljfox.org. “While the average age at onset is 60, people have been diagnosed as young as 18. There is no objective test, or biomarker, for Parkinson’s disease, so the rate of misdiagnosis can be relatively high, especially when the diagnosis is made by a nonspecialist. Estimates of the number of people living with the disease therefore vary, but recent research indicates that at least one million people in the United States, and more than five million worldwide, have Parkinson’s disease.”
An estimated 10,000 people in New Mexico have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. About 250,000 New Mexicans live with some kind of movement disorder.
Theories regarding the causes of the disease are thought to be a combination of a rare single, genetic mutation and exposure to a chemical or an environmental toxin. It is, however, presently impossible to conclusively prove what specifically caused a person to contract Parkinson’s. The research continues.
Silver was diagnosed with the disease about 12 years ago and was convinced his life had just been shot to hell. Frankly, “Parkinson’s is mostly a constant pain in the ass,” he writes.
But he perseveres. Silver stays as active as he can — as a man in his early 70s — hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, dancing, going to the gym and golfing and, of course, taking the daily cocktails of pills the disease demands in order to have some respite.
There is no asking for pity from Silver. He doesn’t want it. Instead, he is steadfastly living a fulfilling life even as Parkinson’s tries to erect more walls. Throughout the memoir, Silver encourages himself and fellow Parkinson’s patients to ‘keep on keepin’ on.’
And although there is no cure today, there is hope.