So, Sew, So

I made my first outfit when I was nine or ten. It was a simple pattern; shorts and a matching top. I learned how to sew in a Girl Scout class and soon made many of my own clothes; a tradition that continued well into adulthood. 

First outfit

I liked having outfits that were unique. I also found; because of my size and shape, I had trouble finding clothing that fit. I was forever altering skirts and pants to fit my very tiny waist. Even when I worked at Disney World, which had the largest inventory of uniforms in the world, my skirts had to be altered to fit. Mostly I made clothes for myself but I did make a blouse for my Mom.
  

Blouse for Mom

As I grew older, my shape evened out somewhat, though I still have trouble finding pants and skirts that fit. I loved making evening clothes; sparkly dresses, silky blouses, wild print skirts. It was not uncommon for me to drop my first husband off at work (he worked in a nightclub as a deejay) at 8 pm, stop at the fabric store on the way home, make myself an outfit and be back out at the nightclub at 11 pm wearing it. After his death, I went back to work in an office and switched from making evening wear to business attire.

My Bridesmaids dresses

When I met and later married my 
Wonderful Husband, I made my Bridesmaid's dresses and a matching one for myself. No hideous dresses for my girls; I wanted them to be able to wear their gowns for other occasions and they did! I stopped sewing about seven years ago; my manual dexterity had deteriorated to the point that I couldn't even thread the needle. I almost sold my machine, but couldn't bring myself to do it. It was an expensive machine and I made weekly payments on it when I was just 19, so I covered it up and put it in a closet.

Look alike dolls

After my Parkinson's diagnosis and medications that gave me some relief, I dug the machine out again. I couldn't do the really fancy stuff I used to. Most of my clothing these days is designed to be easy on and off. I did manage to make look-a-like dolls for our 23rd wedding anniversary and a basic quilt for our bed, but other than to shorten pants, my creating clothing days were over, until this summer.

My shirts before project

I had a closet full of shirts that I loved, but could no longer wear because I couldn't do the buttons. So, I started a project. I was going to cut off the excess and make all these blouses tie in front style. In my old sewing days, this would have been an afternoon project. Instead, it took three months, but I finally finished them. I took the extra fabric I cut off and made hatbands for my cowboy hat, so now I can match my hat to the shirt. It was fun to make something unique again and even more fun when people say "I love your top and matching hat." Here are a few of my creations.

Living with Parkinson's can be a challenge, but instead of focusing on what you can't do, or what you used to be able to do, focus on what you CAN do. Have a Happy Parkie Day!

Life simplified

If there is one thing Parkinson's Disease has taught me, it is that life is simple.  I used to have earrings, shoes and handbags that matched all my outfits, now I can't put the earrings in, I only wear Velcro sneakers and my purse is a fanny pack.  Simple.  

I used to put on eyeliner and mascara, but the Goth look isn't flattering on a 50+ year old woman, so now I don't wear any.  Simple.

My clothes were home made, designed by me, with intricate buttons and ties and fit perfectly.  No more, now its jeans, tank tops and blouses knotted at the waist.  Simple.

I used to order steak, rice pilaf and veggies at restaurants, I still order steak, but my Wonderful Husband cuts it for me and I stick to side dishes that can be eaten with fingers.  Simple.

I used to wear jewelry, lots of it, but can't manipulate the clasps now and I don't miss it a bit.  The same can be said for styling my hair, it gets combed and that's about it.  Simple. 

 My days start at 4 or 5 am and end at 11 pm, during those 18+ hours, I go through a range of symptoms and I make my life as easy as possible for me.  I have chairs that fit me, not some grand design, my floors are rug free so I don't trip, I have a set of lightweight plastic dishes that I use and my pill bottles are lined up on the counter next to the fridge so I can get to them easily.  Simple.  

My Wonderful Husband understands when I take a nap at 9 am, when he's just got up and made the bed at 8.  Our days are not regimented except for my meds.  We generally 'wing it'.  Simple. 

You should try it.

Thank you for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed it. This is just one of a hundred stories in my book, Parkinson's Humor - Funny Stories about My Life with Parkinson's Disease. Please consider purchasing a copy from Amazon.com or your favorite online book seller. Thank you and have a Happy Parkie Day!

What does Parkinson's Disease feel like?

People often ask me that question and I have thought about it a lot over the years. Probably the easiest to duplicate is the lack of dexterity in my fingers and hand. Want to give it a try? See what it feels like?

Okay, go dig out your winter gloves. Got them? Good. Now, we will set up some tests for you. Grab a deck of cards or a stack of dollar bills. Are you wearing a shirt with buttons? If not, grab one out of the closet. Ready? 

YumaBev trying to button

Put the wrong glove on backwards on your dominant hand. Now, try to deal the cards or count your dollar bills. Having trouble? Now try to button or unbutton those buttons. Fun, isn't it? That's pretty much what my right hand feels like 60% of the time. The other 40% of the time, my meds are operating at their peak, and then it still feels like I have an invisible glove on, just not the wrong one backwards. So, now you can understand why I could no longer work as a bank teller.

There is no pain in my hand or fingers like you get with arthritis. There is no tingling, numbness, loss of strength or feeling. The fingers just won't cooperate with my brain. If I need to open a jar of pickles, the right hand is the one I use, when I can get it to grasp the lid. It makes cutting steak difficult, trying to coordinate both pushing down and moving back and forth.

So, we Parkies adapt. My Wonderful Husband cuts my steak when my fingers won't. I donated all my shirts with buttons to the Salvation Army or now wear them like this. See, I just tie the tails in a knot and skip the buttons. It works for me, and looks fashionable, too.  Plus, it was fun shopping for the right color tank tops to wear under them. 

YumaBev fashion - Parkie style

YumaBev's Parkie fashion

Thank you for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed it. This is just one of a hundred stories in my book, Parkinson's Humor - Funny Stories about My Life with Parkinson's Disease. Please consider purchasing a copy from Amazon.com or your favorite online book seller. Thank you and have a Happy Parky Day!