… ‘It’s okay, it’s only Parkinson’s disease.’

On the weekend I needed to run an errand and didn’t want to trouble the support staff. It just happened that my PD medication has been slightly unpredictable off-late and as a result I felt quite edgy and unsteady.

It also meant I had a hard time walking and had to kick-start my ungainly route to the tiny shopping centre here in town. This always looks really bad and although I don’t bother too much worrying about people’s stares and general befuddlement, it does increase my alertness along with my anxiety.

At one point I hobbled with great intent into the lift. All of a sudden, a lady joined me in the lift and she asked me if I wanted her to phone anyone as I was clearly struggling.

‘It’s ok, it’s just Parkinson’s disease,’ I told her. I made sure I thanked her for her concern though.’ Once my meds kick in I will be ok,’ I added.

It was actually nice to meet this kind lady as although I was ‘off’ which means talking is usually not very easy, I was able to have a little neighbourly conversation.

‘At least there are some nice helpful people [working] in this shopping centre,’ the lady said.

I thought to myself, 100 percent (as the kids say) ..