Two Brothers
Recently I’ve come to know the two brothers of Parkinson’s, although I can’t say that I have been pleased to make their acquaintance. Perhaps you’ve met them as well. There is Parkinson’s the Interrogator and Parkinson’s the Pursuer.
Interrogator
Parkinson’s the Interrogator points to his colleague Mortality on the other side of the one-way mirror and asks difficult questions. He wants to uncover his subject’s true intentions. He’s persistent but fair. He only poses questions and insists that one answers. He asks such questions as:
- What are you going to do with the rest of your life?
- How will loved ones perceive you and respect you with your shaky limbs and foggy memory?
- Who are you when parts of your identity that you’ve always thought of as being essential are washed away?
Pursuer
Parkinson’s the Pursuer is more active and perhaps more cruel. He follows his quarry relentlessly. Like a good bounty hunter, he doesn’t care what is just or fair or right or wrong. He only wants to catch the fleeing fugitive and bring him in.
Faced with a looming retirement I did not plan for or expect, I recently have had some interactions with the two brothers. First the Interrogator came to visit. Upon his insistence, I offered him the following statement:
- I will seek to reconnect with my wife, kids and old friends. I will also be open to new friendships when the opportunity arises. Relationships will be at the center of my life in a way that they never really have before. All other goals or tasks will be in service of building relationships.
- I will embrace and be grateful for every day. By engaging in adventure travel, participating in athletic events, and expressing myself with projects, I will try make the most of every minute. I foresee very little television in my retirement.
- I will seek to give back in meaningful and fun ways by volunteering and otherwise supporting organizations I believe in. None of it matters if it is all for yourself. I’m sure there are plenty of organizations and people I can help; I just need to find the right ones.
- I will seek to continue to grow intellectually by taking classes, going to book readings and doing other things that interest me.
- I will exercise vigorously and consistently and will seek to adhere to a plant-based diet. Moving well and being strong are privileges that I never want to take for granted. Exercise will never be drudgery, it’ll be a joy and a blessing
The statement was admittedly incomplete but the Interrogator seemed satisfied.
The Battle
Shortly thereafter, the Pursuer came to my door. At first I was surprised and scared but I gathered myself and told him: “If you come for me, you better be prepared for a race. It may not be a race that you’re used to. I won’t be feeling sorry for myself and won’t be where you expect.” That seemed to get his attention. Before he could say anything, I continued, “Sorry if I don’t behave as you would like. You see, I won’t be running from you, I’ll be running for me. That will make me stronger and faster than others you may have seen.”
Annoyed, the Pursuer brandished his weapons of tremor and stiffness and asked me: “Do you want to do battle?” I replied, “If I battle you, that means I am putting you in front of me. But I plan to be focused on other things. Oh sure I’ll glance over my shoulder at you from time to time, but mostly I’ll be looking at what’s ahead.” He nodded his head, smiled faintly and said, “Start running old man, start running…”
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Christopher Lion is Chief Operating Officer of Barnett Financial and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in March 2018 at the age of 54. He lives in Georgetown, Texas with his wife, Laura, and their two kids Andrew (16) and Sarah (14). He has competed in nine marathons and many other athletic events. He is looking forward to this next phase of his life with apprehension but also with excitement about the possibilities for service to others, fellowship, adventure and self-expression.