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See The Person Inside


If I were blind I know you’d show me the way
If I were deaf – you’d find a way to communicate
But I freeze, move or shake, so stiff I feel as if chained
The pills that I take make it seem I’m ok

My steps are slow – I often hesitate
Embarrassed by my shuffling, limping, uneven gate
Don’t walk on ahead, let your smiling eyes say
That I still walk with grace (Thanks won’t show on my face)

I’m just like you – please – look in my eyes
Don’t just see the disease, see the person inside
Parkinson’s is part of me but not why
I choose JOY, I choose HOPE,
I choose LIFE
Let your respect show, leave me dignity of soul
It means more than you know.

I cannot do the things that I used to do
I struggle each just trying hard to fight off the blues
And the humiliation, if you only knew
What it’s like being stuck in this body of mine

I’m the same person I was yesterday
Who walked tall and proudly led the way
Parkinson’s took, I had no choice, had no say
Still, I choose to make noise, to deny fear a voice
I choose to celebrate.
A cure would be bliss, time won’t wait so I live
Each day as a gift.


Author notes

I have had Parkinson's disease for 22 years. I fight it every day. I will not let it get me down. I am continually reminded that there are many others out there who have it much worse than I do, and I am grateful for my blessings. Don't get me wrong, it is at times overwhelming but then, giving up, and getting negative never made things better. I choose life. And my faith in God and His grace, makes all the difference.

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 6 of 6

  • ley527
    September 15

    Edit | Reply
    This blew me away. It's such an inspiration to me and I'm sure it's the same for a ,lot of others out there. It is very well penned and beautiful. I loved it. Thank you for entering and good luck in the contest


  • mgmc gold member
    August 2

    Edit | Reply

    Outstanding

    I also have PD so I can relate.....although I haven't had it for as long. Your poem is beautiful and carries personal significance for me. Thank you for writing it!


    • jinglingjoy
      August 2
      Edit | Reply

      thank you, your comment 5 stars

      wow, I really appreciat this comment. even though it has been published more than once - i still think it is one of my best. I put it to music also. I wrote it a long long time ago, but edited it more than once, since then. Actually, it only took a few minutes to write, origionally, because it came directly out of my heart and experience. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am sorry to hear that you have pd. If you are ever wanting to chat with or meet others with pd, send me a message and I will e mail you some links.

      jingle aka april


  • Sharitti
    March 5
    Edit | Reply
    This poem really touched me because I have taken care of many people with parkinsons. It is a very unbelievable disease to have. It has too be one of the most mentally exhausting disease out there. I am struggling with the words to express to you that I have because it causes me such emotion. You poem is amazing and from a person looking from outside I can relate so much!! Thank you for entering.


  • parntsoftwins
    January 2, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    First I do not suffer with parkinson's but the disease I do have shares alot of the same symptoms as parkinson's. So this poem touched me personally strong!!! Your words felt as though they were coming from my mind to your screen! The end line...Still, I choose to make noise, to deny fear a voice
    I choose to celebrate.
    This line was VERY strong and uplifting, I utter these words often to encourage myself to stay strong and fight!! Thank you for entering!~Nikki


    • jinglingjoy
      January 4, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      wow, thanks

      Nikki and husband, thanx for the silver and the empathetic comment! And for the contest. I know for me - it would have been very hard to choose! Yes, those of us with a chronic disease, know how hard it is to maintain a positive attitude sometimes and how easy it is to slip into discouragement and think depressing thoughts. Any kind of contact, from others who fight this fight helps, to remind that we are not alone and it is possible, if not to win, then surely to keep the darkness at bay. The opposite - to give up is never a good choice and only makes things harder to bear.

      God Bless you and yours
      jingle

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