Ursula

Ursula felt she was managing the demands of being a wife, mother and teacher well, until 1996 when she noticed a tremour in her left hand. She attributed it to the stress of exam time, but after the tremor continued for nine months she finally went to the doctor.

Ursula visited many doctors before she was finally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the fall of 1998. Ursula was relieved to finally know what was causing her symptoms. To learn more about the disease, she visited online forums and worked with her doctor. Ursula has a great relationship with her doctor and feels that he listens to her. She appreciates how he considers her lifestyle and previous medications when discussing treatment options.

After her diagnosis, Ursula’s major concern was what to tell her students. After considering what conclusions they might draw on their own, she decided to tell them the truth and found out it was easier to be open about her condition.

Ursula retired from teaching in 2004, and now channels her energy into writing poetry and painting. She published a book of poetry and shows her paintings at galleries and art shows. Living with Parkinson’s disease has taught her how to deal with obstacles and to value each day.