Closed Doors and Open Windows

This morning Facebook reminded me of a memory from four years ago. It was a memory of me riding my bike at a women’s ride called Goldilocks.  This memory really shook me up for a minute.  This is something I am unable to do at this time in my life.  I can still ride a bike, but dyskinesia and “off” times significantly impact riding time and strength.  I still ride tandem with my husband and recently bought an e-bike. This allows me to stay in the game, but, for me, there’s just something about the freedom of my road bike. I am very optimistic that DBS surgery will eventually give me that ability back.

But what if it doesn’t? What if that door is closed forever? Is that the end of all my happiness? Of course not. I may mourn the loss for a time, but then remember, I can still ride tandem, and I have an e-bike that can get me up some pretty mean hills.  Maybe in the future my balance will become an issue. Then you may find me on a recumbent bike. 

Parkinson’s will take some things from your life that you can never get back.  Mourning those loses is understandable. But life is not over.  There are so many things that life can offer; sometimes we just need to look through a different window.  Behind those windows may be a new hobby, or a new friend. Something that it never occurred to you to get involved with, and it may become something you love. There is a saying “From the same window, you keep seeing the same view”.  Try looking through some new windows, you may really like what you see.

-- written by Cidney Donahoo