The Energeezer Parkie - Living with Parkinson's Disease

Bev's battery

Christine Miserandino wrote a wonderful story called The Spoon Theory (Spoon Theory) to explain to her friend what life was like living with Lupus. I have a slightly different way of explaining Parkinson's Disease and use my peculiar sense of humor. I say I'm like the Energizer Bunny, except my battery has Parkinson's and doesn't hold a charge like it should, so I am the Energeezer Parkie.  

100%

Everyone has had experience with rechargeable batteries, in cell phones, laptops, cameras, tooth brushes or power tools. We know that when the batteries are brand new and reading 100% charged, they work for days. However, after a while, a 100% charge only gets you half a day or just hours.  

Warning, battery dying!

This morning, I slept great, woke up feeling good and decided to do the laundry. After the second load was done and the third was in the washer, my battery suddenly died and it was only 10:30 am. It was all I could do to finish the laundry and then I told my Wonderful Husband that I needed to lie down a bit. It was 11:25 am and I asked him to wake me at noon for lunch. I could hear him in the kitchen and I woke up on my own. It was 1:30 pm, I had slept for 2 hours!  


When I asked him why he didn't wake me, he said "You needed the rest." Now you know another reason why he is the Wonderful Husband.

Which one did I get today?

The problem with having Parkinson's is you don't look sick. I wake up almost every morning with my battery reading 100%, but I don't know which battery I got. Did I get the 10 hour battery, the 6 hour battery or the 2 hour one? I never know. I will never have a brand new battery again and I have accepted it, but when you wake up feeling 100% and then crash 3 hours later, it makes it difficult to plan your day.


The good news, for me anyways, is that sleep recharges my battery, so a nap can get me through the day.


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!