As a former fighter p
ilot in the Air Force, editor-in-chief of Better Homes and Gardens, author of more than 25 poems and books, president of the magazine division of Meredith Corporation, and national public speaker and consultant, there is one thing that will not define me- Parkinson’s disease.
It’s easy to let your disease define you, but I refuse to do that, I may not always walk well or I may stagger, but I do not consider myself disabled. I am merely inconvenienced by Parkinson’s.
After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014, I heard about the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) program at On With Life’s Outpatient Neuro Rehabilitation program from a friend but was skeptical when it meant clearing an entire month of travel from my calendar. Nevertheless, I signed up for the program, and it only took a week to notice a difference.
The LSVT program has renewed my confidence in my body, I now can control the effects that Parkinson’s has on me.
After the four-week LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD programs, it became my mission to share the impact it had on his life.
The therapists are wonderful, upbeat, dedicated and optimistic. When they are working with you, you have their full and complete attention. I admire their professionalism, and I have benefited from their professionalism and guidance.
More than one year later, I still continue my LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD exercises almost daily. Because of those exercises, I have the confidence in my body to continue doing the things I love – gardening, walking with my wife, spending time with my family, traveling and reading poetry on the radio.
I am confident these exercises have delayed some of the deterioration that comes with this disease Parkinson’s is my enemy, but thanks to the LSVT program, I will prevail.
-- Jim A.