Well time again for my monthly meeting at the Burnley branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society. The evening was entitled 'Yoga with Jackie.'
First, my journey getting there.
When l first went in October l couldn't trust myself to drive, and the Society said they would pay for a cab which they did, but left me feeling very guilty, even though money is fairly tight for me now. However l soon learnt that a couple also came from Oswaldtwistle and they kindly offered me a lift. Last night was the second time they'd been kind enough to drive me there, and l'm not going to be an ungrateful bitch but....
He is the one with Parkinson's, she's Mutt 'n' Jeff, both in their mid 70's, [ they've been married 51 years,] they never stop talking. lt takes us an hour to get the few miles to Burnley in 'Alice', which is the name of their car. l sit in the back on furry cushions surrounded by soft toys trying to hear what they're saying to me. Subjects last night ranged from how courting has changed to the fact that someone had accused their Grandson, who sells designer sunglasses at Kendal's in Manchester, of being a 'puff', [ l have my doubts, does seem a bit Queeny!] An hour later l emerged warmed by their love/irritability with each other, but totally friggin' dizzy.
Jackie our yogi had slipped a disc! lnstead we had a lovely lady called Margaret who was going to teach us a little Tai chi. l'd mentioned in a PM to our Margaret P. what l was up to this evening, so when this lady kept giving me knowing smiles and made a bee-line for me, l put two and two together and came up with five. That would have been too perfect and weird! To learn techniques to aid my muscle tension, and to meet my literary heroine. lt was only when l trawled my memory l remember Marg saying her height was shortish, and this other Margaret was nearly 6 foot in her stocking feet. Hey ho, perhaps we'll meet over a drink sometime rather than pretending to play with a beachball very, very slowly!
l really enjoyed the evening. l won first prize in the raffle again for the third time in a row, they all booed and shouted 'fix', [sort of good humouredly, but you could tell they meant it!] So l came home with a mini luxury hamper from Harrods, l was also drawn third prize, but unwilling to take my chance of being attacked, graciously told them to draw it again.
Now l've been asked to sit on the Committee, my diary is begining to fill up again. On Tuesday they want me to go on a day course in Manchester about raising public awareness of the disease. ln May l've been asked to speak to a group of people at Imperial College, London about having being diagnosed under 40, which is gladly still quite rare.
So it was a really good evening. l was even given the Michael J. Fox book to read [were he talks about living with the disease and the operation he had, the one l'm praying not to have.]. My brother's read it and warned me not too. Red rag to a bull, l started it last night!
Before you might picture me in a leotard surrounded by other lycra clad shakers [average age of which is 75,] we just had to wear loose comfortable clothing! Talking of shaking, l was the worst there, l've been really good of late, it was strange l don't know why l was so bad, it doesn't really matter there though.
The cheque given to me by Mez on behalf of the Accy Web meeting held in March was gratefully received, to anybody that was there that night once again thankyou.
I'm off to do my tai chi infront of the Buddah in the backyard now. Hope the neighbours are out.
First, my journey getting there.
When l first went in October l couldn't trust myself to drive, and the Society said they would pay for a cab which they did, but left me feeling very guilty, even though money is fairly tight for me now. However l soon learnt that a couple also came from Oswaldtwistle and they kindly offered me a lift. Last night was the second time they'd been kind enough to drive me there, and l'm not going to be an ungrateful bitch but....
He is the one with Parkinson's, she's Mutt 'n' Jeff, both in their mid 70's, [ they've been married 51 years,] they never stop talking. lt takes us an hour to get the few miles to Burnley in 'Alice', which is the name of their car. l sit in the back on furry cushions surrounded by soft toys trying to hear what they're saying to me. Subjects last night ranged from how courting has changed to the fact that someone had accused their Grandson, who sells designer sunglasses at Kendal's in Manchester, of being a 'puff', [ l have my doubts, does seem a bit Queeny!] An hour later l emerged warmed by their love/irritability with each other, but totally friggin' dizzy.
Jackie our yogi had slipped a disc! lnstead we had a lovely lady called Margaret who was going to teach us a little Tai chi. l'd mentioned in a PM to our Margaret P. what l was up to this evening, so when this lady kept giving me knowing smiles and made a bee-line for me, l put two and two together and came up with five. That would have been too perfect and weird! To learn techniques to aid my muscle tension, and to meet my literary heroine. lt was only when l trawled my memory l remember Marg saying her height was shortish, and this other Margaret was nearly 6 foot in her stocking feet. Hey ho, perhaps we'll meet over a drink sometime rather than pretending to play with a beachball very, very slowly!
l really enjoyed the evening. l won first prize in the raffle again for the third time in a row, they all booed and shouted 'fix', [sort of good humouredly, but you could tell they meant it!] So l came home with a mini luxury hamper from Harrods, l was also drawn third prize, but unwilling to take my chance of being attacked, graciously told them to draw it again.
Now l've been asked to sit on the Committee, my diary is begining to fill up again. On Tuesday they want me to go on a day course in Manchester about raising public awareness of the disease. ln May l've been asked to speak to a group of people at Imperial College, London about having being diagnosed under 40, which is gladly still quite rare.
So it was a really good evening. l was even given the Michael J. Fox book to read [were he talks about living with the disease and the operation he had, the one l'm praying not to have.]. My brother's read it and warned me not too. Red rag to a bull, l started it last night!
Before you might picture me in a leotard surrounded by other lycra clad shakers [average age of which is 75,] we just had to wear loose comfortable clothing! Talking of shaking, l was the worst there, l've been really good of late, it was strange l don't know why l was so bad, it doesn't really matter there though.
The cheque given to me by Mez on behalf of the Accy Web meeting held in March was gratefully received, to anybody that was there that night once again thankyou.
I'm off to do my tai chi infront of the Buddah in the backyard now. Hope the neighbours are out.