Just Call Me David

I  am the youngest of five siblings. Whatever semblance of relationships we had all but dissipated after the death of our parents. I don't know if they even know I have Parkinson's. And I'm okay with that because I have a sense of humor and a Wonderful Husband.

Growing up, I was closest in age to David, and I wrote a blog story about him, David and Me, almost 15 years ago. It's a good read, and I suggest you click on it and take a few minutes to see what I wrote. 

I'll wait until you get back... And then I will explain the title.

                              Cue the Jeopardy tune 🎶

You see, my ability to communicate has become a lot like David’s. Lately I’ve been wondering: Was he just as intelligent as the rest of us, but simply couldn’t figure out how to tell anyone? He must have been so frustrated. I wonder if he felt trapped in his body the same way I sometimes do.

I know that I picked him up ONCE to bring him to our house to visit. He'd NEVER been there before, never even been to the city we lived in and never learned to drive. And yet, when it came time to take him back to his group home, he would point out to my husband where he was supposed to turn, to get him back. And there were lots of turns. This was long before GPS and navigation. 

I have absolutely zero problems composing what I want to say. But when I try to speak, I sound like David. It's a real struggle to get even a single syllable out and when it does come out, it's squeaky, or raspy, or barely a whisper and it's NEVER coherent. Wonderful Husband can't understand me, he tries to read my lips, but even that is difficult. And, just like him, I can't write down what I want to say either. Fortunately I can still type. 

It's becoming more and more frustrating and there's nothing I can do about it. YES, I've tried speech therapy and it made no difference. When the phone rings, I can't even say hello, pronounce my name or recite my address. I can't ask where something is in the grocery store. When I go to see a doctor, they try to finish my sentences and usually get it wrong. I am afraid of what might happen if I'm ever in an accident or get stopped by a Police Officer. 

What do I do IF I have to call 911? 

Hence the title... Just Call Me David 

And just like my brother, I can still laugh out LOUD.

And I always have extra napkins nearby.