My PD Story

When I was diagnosed in early 2010, it was a long, long walk back to our car. My wife was with me. We had been told in a matter of a few minutes that based on initial indications, at age 45, "you no doubt have Parkinson's disease (PD)…"  

Little did I realize my life had changed forever from that moment.  

Now, at 61 years young, I recall stepping into that full range of emotions we people with PD all go through: shock, denial, confusion, fear, anger and sadness.  

Looking back, what I really wanted was information that may quickly outline and answer the range of "what now" questions multiplying in my head. What I did not want to do was immediately search the internet and travel down those "rabbit holes" that so often end in false assumptions or conclusions. I found that much of what I came across online was largely irrelevant to my personal situation.  Afterall, I was told very early on that my PD journey would be just that: mine. 

To my surprise, I soon found THE one-stop-shop for everything PD — the Parkinson Foundation website! I quickly realized that THIS was the general guide for the early onset and recently diagnosed that could also lead me to detailed specifics.   

As an added bonus, I found that the Foundation could be a reliable roadmap to forming a PD team of advisers and movement disorders specialists around me. I've nicknamed my group “The B Team."  

I tell them they will become "The A Team" once they find the cure!   

Seriously though, if I have any advice for people who are newly diagnosed, it would be to develop your own “B Team” ASAP. This can include: 

1. Neurologist and/or Nurse Practitioner, with specialty in Movement Disorders with a focus on PD. 
2. Neuro Psychiatrist, with experience in treating PD. 
3. Physical Therapist, with background including PD. 
4. Physical Trainer.  Exercise is THE #1 activity PD patients can do to help slow down the PD progression. 
5. Family Practitioner (MD in my case that has experience with PD). 

In 2012, I learned about Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s in Columbus.  For the last 14 years my family, known as Team  Ramsey's Racers, has raised more than $117,000 and has placed first overall of Central Ohio team fundraising in the last several years.  

My wife is my world, and both of my sons, Max and Tyler, are everything to me. I asked my boys if they would like to comment on the "Ramsey PD Story." They replied with this: 

"Our father experiences many symptoms, every day - from difficulty walking, lack of facial expression, to voice and speech problems. Daily activities that most of us take for granted become harder and take longer. 

Loss of balance has become a daily struggle, and our mom says falls are becoming more common. Other symptoms our dad fights include:  tremors, fatigue, anxiety, loss of smell, slowed movement, the urge to “shuffle” when walking, muscle jerks, “brain fog” and sometimes mumbled and quiet speech. 

Even though this list may seem extensive, the one great point that dad repeats to us is he will never let these PD complications define him.  Dad has always been a fighter. Dad recognizes that organizations like the Parkinson’s Foundation need money to help people with Parkinson’s. They are making life better for people with PD. Now, that’s what our local Moving Day family team is all about: fundraising for resources that can help slow the progression of this terrible disease.  

Dad represents these ideals everyday."   

Overall, I am doing well. I now struggle with speech and see a speech therapist after I found that with retirement also comes much less talking, so there are fewer daily benchmarks to test along the way.   

While I don't see myself getting down, I do realize that there is no going back to life before PD. I have a neurodegenerative disease. However, don't mistake these physical indications as me crying in my beer.  

I'm VERY lucky all-around and have MUCH to be thankful for.    

Be Strong.