Acceptance would certainly free up your mind to focus on doing the things you want to do to the extent that you can. In my own experience, I've noticed that the days the endless loop of "I can't believe I have PD" hasn't played on in my head for hours at a time have been more productive. Given the fact that our brains have been altered by this insidious disease, that isn't always so easy. Do you ever fully accept it anyway? When you do one of the many "unique things" associated with this illness, aren't you reminded of it? I haven't done a survey, but I think even the strongest among us has to go through the "why me" phase every once in a while.

This doesn't mean you can't still the best you can be. Many days I have to be incredibly creative to motivate myself to do anything. Acceptance or not, we still have to try moving forward. I read today that most of us will live as long as our non-PD friends and I can't imagine another twenty years or more spending most of my days thinking about how lousy my life is!

I wish you and all who may read this well.

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, that "neurologist " was no doctor. And who named him God, anyway? My doctor told me, back in 2012, how my illness could progress, but stressed the fact that every patient is different, and no one could put a time frame on it. He encouraged me to keep my mind and body active and just keep moving for as long as I can. I am very realistic, and I don't like anyone "sugar coating " the facts for me, but that "doctor" was just plain harsh and uncaring.

I would like to think everyone's holding onto hope

I felt so bad before being diagnosed I thought I was dying. So being told I had PD was actually a blessing. I got substantial relief immediately from Sinamet.

God's perfect plan is for me to have PD. I pray for healing if that is His will, but also that He will let me see how He will use my PD to bring Glory to Him. I believe His promise in Romans 8:28 "that for those who love God all things work together for good." I may not see on this side of heaven how He will use my PD to work together for good, but I know He will as He is trustworthy.

I know my condition will continue to worsen over time, but that is okay as God is in control of it. He has given me a wonderful care partner in my wife and I feel truly blessed.

Because of of the multitude of different things happening to me and my family at the time of my diagnosis (4 yrs ago) and not knowing what was going on within my brain and my body, I was very confused as to why things were getting all jumbled up and distorted. At that very same time the Neurologists at U of Penn were examining me for possible Parkinson's, I was experiencing bouts of depression and withdraw, on top of the common everyday family problems,such as financial woes,etc. I had just retired and couldn't afford to enjoy my "Golden Year" The economy weighed me down like a ton of bricks. NOW, add to that the tragic loss of my daughter in a fatal auto accident with a drunk-driver, a piece of human waste, I was ready to DO SOMETHING! I just about snapped. One of the neurologist diagnosed me as suffering from PTSD. I had had minor hand surgery the week before and problems arose with the nerves in my right arm, and shoulder. Then the accident (March 2014) and now I'm in the hospital, off and on through the next 6 - 7 mos.
So "quicker acceptance" of the situation may have been beneficial to me only IF I knew what exactly was happening to my life and what I was accepting.
Bottom line: I HAVE to accept it for what it is - Parkinson's. Plus the added baggage of depression from the worst traumatic event in my entire life in Marc 2014. And I know what trauma is and witnessed it first hand in Southeast Asia in 1969 thru 1970. I also have to accept that they might not find a cure for PD until the day after "Meet my Maker". [that'd be just my luck]
So until then I have to accept the various things I can do that will improve the quality of my life along with that of my wife and son. And be thankful for all that "My Team" gives to me. Although the relief from the physical pain and discomfort would be euphoric, what they provide me is of the greatest spiritual, inspirational and emotional value to me. They've taught me that the intangibles are of more value than any physical thing in this universe.
Faith - in the Lord, faith in your Family, faith in your friends is what will ultimately pull you through the hard times. We have to learn to accept all 52 cards of the 'deck of life'. (even those damned Jokers). And if good fortune is with us, we will all meet again, "good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise"