My Parkinsons Story
We are all told, “live your life to the fullest”; I am here to do just that.
I’m Michael and I have Parkinson’s. I just turned 29 which was terrifying enough. Luckily for me I am surrounded by nothing but love and support from friends and family. I am Chinese/American and born and raised in Southern California. My father is from Taiwan and mother from Indiana, though my parents don’t have Parkinson’s, I have a brother who is 24 that does, unfortunately his symptoms have progressed far more than mine. I have a girlfriend who is fully aware and supportive of my diagnosis. With everyone around I have been nothing but grateful for the life I have been given and opportunities that have been given to me.
When did I start feeling/noticing something wasn’t right?
Well, I have been extremely active my whole life. I grew up playing roller-hockey, Ice Hockey, and I swam and played water polo throughout high school and college. My dad was very involved and because I had ADHD my parents thought sports would be the best way to keep me busy and exhaust my mind, all while having fun. Sports require lots of physical and mental capacity. I was leaving water polo practice in high school and I felt this abnormal trembling in my legs that I thought would eventually just go away. I thought to myself obviously my muscles are overworked or cramping is causing me to shake. I slept on it, but instantly felt the difference in my body. I was young and never really thought anything of it. Eventually it became noticeable and my parents took me to the doctor to figure out what was going on. Long story short, I was misdiagnosed with Essential Benign Tremor. I was 17 years old, on WebMd, reading about something that was so new and more than anything scary. Years passed and I kind of just let things play out, but noticed the progression. I began to start losing balance, felt stiffness in my legs, lost my memory here and there, and my tremors were very noticeable. During this time, my brother was experiencing the same symptoms, and eventually he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It wasn’t until then when I realized I have the same thing.
When was I diagnosed?
Well it wasn’t until I was 28 did I start to take action. I started working as an instructional aid for children with disabilities and the school district provided me with incredible health benefits, which allowed me to see a specialist at University of Southern California, Irvine. My specialist advised I take a DAT scan, genetics test, and honestly other tests that I can’t really remember. I was just worried to be dropped from my insurance, and to have a disease that may not be curable. Late January before my 29th birthday I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Surprisingly I was relieved because I didn’t have Hutchinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s, essentially I just thought well it could be worse.
What now? I don’t find Parkinson’s to affect my day to day life. I almost think that when I was first diagnosed I had immediately gone for a snowboarding trip that I was anticipating. My Parkinson’s will progress along with the symptoms, but my goal is to spread the message to others who need support. I want to provide light for them and not feel insecure or disabled because of Parkinson’s.
On a good note, handicap parking is allowing me to live my best life!