Parkinson's Humor: Three Years Later

July 17, 2011 was the date I started this Parkinson's Humor blog. Those three years have flown by. I am still amazed that people read my stories and even more amazed they come from all over the world.  

The red dots represent where my readers live

I am still friends with the first people I met in a Parkinson's Chat Room.  Karyn from Australia, who convinced me to start this blog and helped me decide DBS surgery was right for me. Steve and Linda from Kentucky, who headed up the chat room and Andrew from Australia who still has his pet snake named Pelorus. But, I have only met one of them in person; Mary L from Mississippi, who

YumaBev and Mary L in New Orleans, LA

arranged for me to be the guest speaker at a Parkinson's disease conference in New Orleans in April 2013. I've met several other Parkies that I have interacted with online at conferences in Southern California and Phoenix.  

YumaBev and Kip from Nevada

YumaBev and Michelle from Louisiana

Mick from Arizona and YumaBev

YumaBev and Roy from Florida

Davis Phinney and YumaBev

YumaBev & Laurie from Canada

Some things have NOT changed. My hair style is still the same except for some "wings" trying to grow out

YumaBev's wings

from the DBS surgery. I still use the same ancient desktop computer, which I hope lasts forever. My mouth still hangs open when I watch TV. I still wear Velcro sneakers. I still like to laugh and make others laugh. My Wonderful Husband is still wonderful.  

And some things have changed. My right foot no longer dances under the desk when I am trying to write.  I sleep later, have missed many sunrises and I've gained a few pounds. I walk more normally. My singing voice has gotten worse (I know, it's hard to believe, but it's true.) My voice has gotten quieter (I know, hard to believe, right?) and some times my speech isn't very clear, but I keep right on speaking. In fact, I've been invited back to speak to Dr Sherman's first year medical school students in November.

All in all, I'd say I am doing very well. I am looking forward to the next 3 years and hope to meet many more of you in person.

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