(21) The right to read PD

NB (21) above indicates the numerical order

Last rite

I started the last blog post (number 20) reflecting on the death of family and friends and wondered whether or not I had made a difference in anyones lives. Many years ago my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), dementia and other ailments likely to be present in an eighty-year old.

As a spirited educator and later a headmistress, she had touched the lives of many children. She had been responsible for instilling multiple literacies in her many pupils. In the last five years, she struggled with competence in the basic literacies, namely, reading, writing, listening and talking (dialogue). The presence of PD and dementia had created a perfect storm for to her to become immobile and to gradually stop reading, writing and even talking (monologue). It must have been immensely frustrating for her. Her PD symptoms were familiar and a potential peep into my own future. It was unnerving. Last year I decided to visit her only when it was unavoidable because her deteriorating state was depressing!

Sadly, for us (but happily for her, I believe), my mother-in-law passed away in her sleep in March 2021. She was 88 years old. I was present when she arrived in her coffin. No more frustration for her because she was incapable of speaking. Also, she looked peaceful! 

Evolving literacies

When I first engaged in post-graduate research in 1981 most information was available in hard copy, such as paper-based books, journal articles and newspaper articles while some was available as microfiche in a library. By 1996, I needed to be familiar with Microsoft Office (1997) as well as some basic programming in order to generate research into computer-assisted education. By 2007, my doctoral research drew mostly on information in electronic format. My reading, writing and digital literacy grew my competence and processing information in both formats and allowed me to adapt and innovate. However, what about those researchers who only know how to use computer technology in a superficial manner without the various literacies associated with being a researcher?   

The above context leads to a question: has the ease of access to the internet resulted in a rewiring of our brains? This 'rewiring', namely, the need to curate information and access to technological gadgetry, may be distracting us, adults and children alike, from actual learning. Are we being distracted from what is easy to understand and being led into a morass of unnecessary complexity?

If you're interested dear reader, there is a growing body of research on the impact of technology on learning, such as writing lecture notes in longhand or typing notes and their impact on memory and understanding. One such article has been renamed "The pen is mightier than the keyboard" (2014). As a researcher and facilitator of the structured writing process - what is called "composition" in the USA - I am intrigued by this angle of research. You might be too. 

In post 2 (Parkinson's, mind games and I) from April 2020 (excerpt below), I speculated on search engines and the ability of Google to track and assist my searches with its filtering system. Such filtering effectively places blinkers on your search unless you are a discerning trawler and not easily distracted. 

(EXCERPT) The internet and mind games

One of the mind games I have experienced is when one does a Google search, for instance, on Parkinson's Disease (PD). It will produce millions of hits. However, in this case, most of the content will be associated exclusively with either a medical or a pharmaceutical context. This does not help the few of us who are not taking PD medication. Seldom are you invited to consider alternatives, unless you specify search terms such as "drug free", "natural remedies" or "PD exercises". If you visit the Fighting Parkinson's Drug Free site it states: "Whether you are fighting Parkinson's without medications or fighting Parkinson's with medications, everybody is welcome here!" 

So, regarding distractions, are we taking prescribed medications without considering alternatives because we are encouraged to do so by the tracking and the subsequent filtering systems in search engines? This is like not questioning some medical doctors because they wear white coats. The recent controversy regarding Ivermectin, where the WHO advised that it could only be used to treat Covid-19 within clinical trials, may be a case in point when South Africans were also considering its use. Are we literate enough to make a choice? If yes, then why do we not question the efficacy of drugs developed to ease PD?

The "Dark side of the moon"

The title of an album by Pink Floyd in the 1970's resonates with the photo, below, taken in Gauteng in 2014 during a late-night eclipse. The partially visible side of the moon represents a tiny portion of what remains in the dark. The non-visible portion is similar to the impact and intensity of PD where the initial symptoms are a mere tip of the proverbial iceberg. My trembling right thigh in 2012 was the tip of a PD iceberg and what was to come after diagnosis in 2013. 

Being unable to read, write and be numerate may be immaterial to a street child or a homeless adult who has a successful infrastructure for survival. However, the potential for the homeless to help other children or adults may not be easily determined and could be as great as the area on the 'dark side of the moon'. 

You have the right to an attorney alternative treatment

I am of the opinion that alternatives to treating PD with drugs may be simple and based on individual needs. Clinical trials for some alternative and drug-free PD treatment regimes are needed to encourage medical doctors to reconsider their present stance. We must be able to read the signs of PD and be able to respond to symptoms with both a drug regime, fully aware of side-effects, as well as a drug-free regime that does not interfere with drugs if taken. 

I hope I do not become parkinsed to the extent that, like my mother-in-law, I am unable to talk and later unable to speak. Then I will be inside the 'dark side of the moon'. Till next time, dear reader.