Easter Monday.
I don't know if this new drug is starting to kick in, but it's the third day in a row were l've felt great, although l was still buzzing and didn't get to sleep until 5a.m.
I passed my driving test when l was 17, and have driven my parents cars everytime l came home for the last 23 years. Living in cities though l never needed a car, it was quicker to get the tube even in Glasgow. ln London it would have been quicker to walk the three miles to Knightsbridge rather than sit twiddling my thumbs sat in traffic. Last year when l moved back, l bought my first car, brand new, shiney and l loved it. One month later Dr. Doom confirmed it was Parkinson's l had. l had to tell my insurers [which was a massive premium anyway since it wasn't based on how long you've driven, but how long you were first named driver,] and the DVLA. The DVLA wrote to me saying l would have to take a disabled driving test, and would have to bring another driver with me in case they took my licence away! l was so peed off. Why me, why now? Bloody bugger!!!! Anyway in October we went to the testing centre near Wigan. It was three hours long with an hour spent on a simulator, pressing pedals at the flash of tiny moving red lights. l passed that even though Sonic the Hedgehog always got the better of me. Then l had to drive, first in the Hospital grounds then on the roads around Wigan. The people who took me out were very nice and chatty,[part of the test l suppose, to put me off as l was asked questions about my life,] l drove well even though l was worked up and was shaking a wee bit. Success!!!!! l passed, and they've renewed my licence for three years before having to take the next one, hurray!
l was happy, but it left me feeling nervous. ln the summer we drove to Kirkby Lonsdale to see friends for the weekend. Going there l was fine, coming back l started to shake. We sat in a lay-by in the middle of nowhere waiting for my leg to stop shaking, l also felt l was leaning to one side like l was drunk. l knew we had to get home. Thankfully it eventually stopped and l felt safe to drive on. Since then l've only driven locally, always near enough to walk home if l was unable to drive. l wouldn't put anybody else, or myself in danger if l felt at all unsafe.
Today l felt fine, and asked Mum if she'd like to come out for the day with me. We had lunch in Clitheroe, and then drove into the Trough of Bowland. l was relaxed, happy and confident and drove well. lt may not seem very much to anybody else, but to me was as challenging as driving the Paris- Dakkar Car Ralley. It proves to myself l'm reclaiming my life. lt doesn't matter if l shake when l sign my name, which happened on Saturday with a line of people behind me, and was asked to sign again, as what l had scrawled looked nothing like my signature. lt doesn't matter to me anymore if people think l'm a nervous nelly, l know l've never been afraid of anything in my life, [except mice!] l'm bigger than this disease.
As usual l came off best. l insisted lunch was on me for a change. Mum instead bought me a new dinner service, some garden lights, and a funky one handed pepper grinder as mines now to fiddly for me to use. People say l'm spoilt- what rubbish! Lol.
I don't know if this new drug is starting to kick in, but it's the third day in a row were l've felt great, although l was still buzzing and didn't get to sleep until 5a.m.
I passed my driving test when l was 17, and have driven my parents cars everytime l came home for the last 23 years. Living in cities though l never needed a car, it was quicker to get the tube even in Glasgow. ln London it would have been quicker to walk the three miles to Knightsbridge rather than sit twiddling my thumbs sat in traffic. Last year when l moved back, l bought my first car, brand new, shiney and l loved it. One month later Dr. Doom confirmed it was Parkinson's l had. l had to tell my insurers [which was a massive premium anyway since it wasn't based on how long you've driven, but how long you were first named driver,] and the DVLA. The DVLA wrote to me saying l would have to take a disabled driving test, and would have to bring another driver with me in case they took my licence away! l was so peed off. Why me, why now? Bloody bugger!!!! Anyway in October we went to the testing centre near Wigan. It was three hours long with an hour spent on a simulator, pressing pedals at the flash of tiny moving red lights. l passed that even though Sonic the Hedgehog always got the better of me. Then l had to drive, first in the Hospital grounds then on the roads around Wigan. The people who took me out were very nice and chatty,[part of the test l suppose, to put me off as l was asked questions about my life,] l drove well even though l was worked up and was shaking a wee bit. Success!!!!! l passed, and they've renewed my licence for three years before having to take the next one, hurray!
l was happy, but it left me feeling nervous. ln the summer we drove to Kirkby Lonsdale to see friends for the weekend. Going there l was fine, coming back l started to shake. We sat in a lay-by in the middle of nowhere waiting for my leg to stop shaking, l also felt l was leaning to one side like l was drunk. l knew we had to get home. Thankfully it eventually stopped and l felt safe to drive on. Since then l've only driven locally, always near enough to walk home if l was unable to drive. l wouldn't put anybody else, or myself in danger if l felt at all unsafe.
Today l felt fine, and asked Mum if she'd like to come out for the day with me. We had lunch in Clitheroe, and then drove into the Trough of Bowland. l was relaxed, happy and confident and drove well. lt may not seem very much to anybody else, but to me was as challenging as driving the Paris- Dakkar Car Ralley. It proves to myself l'm reclaiming my life. lt doesn't matter if l shake when l sign my name, which happened on Saturday with a line of people behind me, and was asked to sign again, as what l had scrawled looked nothing like my signature. lt doesn't matter to me anymore if people think l'm a nervous nelly, l know l've never been afraid of anything in my life, [except mice!] l'm bigger than this disease.
As usual l came off best. l insisted lunch was on me for a change. Mum instead bought me a new dinner service, some garden lights, and a funky one handed pepper grinder as mines now to fiddly for me to use. People say l'm spoilt- what rubbish! Lol.