Stand tall and walk tall
I took this picture of a tree in the northern Drakensberg in December 2021. I was fascinated with its sideways growth compared to other trees in the area. Plants respond to gravity and so, generally, roots grow downwards and stems grow upwards. However, I am guessing that constant winds sweeping across the mountain, temperature shifts and the altitude could have resulted in its angle.
Accordingly, dear reader, many people live relatively normal lives till they are eighty years old, unless they have Parkinson's Disease (PD). This tree reminds me of someone with poor posture and Parkinson's Disease (PD) but who is still trying to stand tall. Like me!
Tips to take away
Until 2015 I used to walk regularly and was conscious of staying reasonably fit and healthy. Prior to that I used to do power walking and enjoyed it. Then my body's "visitor" (a.k.a. PD) started to make its presence felt and I started to slack off, slow down and lack interest. This is probably happening to many of us parkinsed people.
The tree in the picture above is alone at the top of this slope. There are no other trees with which to share chemicals or signals or to provide support. Interestingly, there is growing evidence that such exchanges between trees exist. I am reminded of the fact that there is no face-to-face support group for parkinsed people in the Durban area. So, I am on my own. Fortunately, I belong to an online support group based in Gauteng that is called Movement Disorders Support (MDS).
There has been significant growth in the MDS membership that has provided a steady stream of useful links. For instance, through them I have discovered Nordic Walking, a useful walking technique for those with PD, using two hiking poles or sticks. The walking action is best done on a solid surface. I have tried this on grass - I was not impressed with my progress - so, a hard surface is better. Essentially one is emulating a natural walking action and gradually introducing the poles to support and propel oneself forward.
Something that has also helped is regularly checking my posture in a full length mirror. I'm constantly embarrassed by my slight stoop, so, I try to stand tall and constantly remind myself of this posture. Since last month, the bent tree in the Drakensberg has become another reminder of my stoop. Sorry, tree...
Make an Obvious, Visible Effort = MOVE
We parkinsed people need to move every day, otherwise, we become stiff and immobile. So, last year I started a daily three-minute routine of doing a gradual stretch of my right arm and right shoulder, two parts of my body that struggle to move. I raise my right arm twenty centimetres higher each time starting with floor level and aiming for the ceiling. This is similar to the movement of the second hand on a clock, where I slowly raise my outstretched hand starting with the 6 position (floor level), then 7 and ending with the 12 (the ceiling). This stiffness is another sign of PD and started five years ago (the first signs of PD appeared in my right thigh ten years ago). Often, I used to have right shoulder discomfort but, since my "clock" regime, that discomfort has become a rarity. Yay!
Last year I started to experience leg cramps at night in bed when attempting to turn onto my side. I was advised to consider doing yoga. I ignored the suggestion because I am overweight and unfit. Standing and stretching would be too much of a challenge due to my growing lack of confidence and poor balance. A few months ago my brother shared a yoga website with me and it led to my exploring and doing the 25- minute Gentle Chair Yoga Routine weekly. Now I'm challenging myself thrice a week. There are many chair yoga sites on the internet.
When I lived in Gauteng I used to attend a weekly Dance for Parkinson's (DfP) class with a qualified instructor. The DfP classes originated in New York city. The interpersonal communication during and after classes led to some post-class socialising. Unfortunately, retiring to KwaZulu-Natal put an end to that face-to-face activity. Also, the nearest face-to-face class is at Howick, more than an hour's drive away. So, I have opted for the Covid approach and found these classes online. Local DfP online classes may be found at Dance for Parkinson's South Africa. The New York City DfP site is also available online.
The need to be moving everyday and also checking my posture in the mirror got me thinking about the importance of seeing what I am doing in order to reinforce the action. So, my 2022 focus is the acronym for Make an Obvious, Visible Effort = MOVE ! The Obvious is to ensure I understand the nature and angle of the movement in which I am engaged. The Visible is to ensure that the movements are as exaggerated as possible, especially when it involves my right hand or right leg. This works for me.
