August 7, 2011. Hey, Hey Parkie Paul and Paula

In many of these Parkinson's on line support groups, mascots have been adopted, who the members write posts through. Names such as Parkie Paul and Parkie Paula, can be found making their Parkie Proposals. Their intentions are admirable. But they are talking to people who, euphemistically, are called middle aged, who, for the most part, don't want to be talked to by a cartoon character.

Parkie Paul, speaks to me about what to do about the stiffness in my legs. What about the embarrassment of knowing that because of that stiffness, if I give my bus seat to that elderly woman who just got on the bus, odds are, that I might fall when the bus driver stops short. And if I don't I feel miserable.

Parkie Paula speaks to you like you're a child, not a middle aged person, experiencing a life altering disease. and coming to terms that you may never again do some of the things that you love to do. If you were an artist, you may never paint again. A weekend athlete, who may have hit his last home run. A cook, who can no longer measure a cup.

Hey, Hey Paula, how do I deal with the fact, that I don't drive anymore? Hey, Hey Paul do you wan't to tell me how not to be embarrassed, by having difficulty tying my laces in public.

What about the private matters. The one's that a middle aged man, born during the Eisenhower administration, wont speak about in public.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud your intentions, but I am an adult, not a child, I don't need a cartoon advising me. I find it Parkie Pathetic. Unless, of course, it's my old friend, Parkie Perv. (above).