Positive attitude

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be managed and treated in many ways, with medications, surgery, exercise, diet, complementary therapies, emotional support and strong relationships all playing important roles.

However, the quality of life of a person with PD is not just related to treating PD and its symptoms. Finding out more about PD, relating to the new situation in life, and learning to accept new goals and challenges, is just as important as practical management. In addition, a focus on what can be achieved, rather than what cannot, is a helpful and positive attitude.

The following quote is taken from a book entitled ‘Health is between your ears. Living with a chronic disease’ by Svend Andersen, a psychologist who has PD.

‘I believe that the most important decision you can make when life deals you a hard blow is: “No matter what happens, I will manage, and get something good out of it.” Such a decision implies that you are prepared to be knocked out by life, but you have the will to bounce back up again. Will you become a victim of the illness and let it decide your life, or will you use the situation to learn something new and to find new meaning on a new basis, where illness gets the space it needs, and no more?’

An example of this determined spirit is contained in the book, ‘Shake well before use’, by Tom Isaacs. Tom was diagnosed with young-onset PD, and the book describes his experiences on a 4,500 mile walk round Britain’s coastline (see further information section on ‘Books’).