For many years, Nike has been running ads with the tag line “Just Do It” with the Nike swoosh. At the gym where I go to my boxing classes with StoPD, I noticed a variation on that tag line in a few places in the gym.

What a brilliant take on the original. And how appropriate is it for those of us with Parkinson’s Disease or any other chronic condition. If we quit, we give in to the disease. Here are some suggestions for continued good health and well being in the coming year.

JUST DON’T QUIT exercising

Exercise is medicine. Exercising gives you energy, keeps your muscles in shape so that you can move. Exercising with others gives you a group to belong to. The benefits go on and on. Just Do It

I often say now I don’t have any choice whether or not I have Parkinson’s, but surrounding that non-choice is a million other choices that I can make.

Michael J Fox

JUST DON’T QUIT doing the things you enjoy

Ok, so you don’t do them as well as you did before PD. So what? You enjoy dancing? Go ahead and make a night of it. The exercise is great for you, You are with others just having fun. Love going to the movies? Why let PD get in the way. Love to cook but are afraid to handle a knife? Invite someone to help you and be your sous chef. Open a bottle of wine and have fun while cooking. You can still do many things, but maybe with a little help. It’s ok. Just Do It

JUST DON’T QUIT finding inspiration from others

Michael J Fox, cyclist Davis Phinney, Brian Grant NBA Basketball player, Kirk Gibson, Major League Baseball, Alan Alda, actor, Billy Connolly, British actor and singer Linda Rondstadt, have all shared their journey with PD and work hard to raise money to find a cure and make our lives better with PD. Read their books and check out their websites to learn more. Others no longer with us include President George HW Bush, Muhammed Ali and Janet Reno, former US Attorney General. All have been a source of inspiration for us. Just Do It

The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason why you held on so long

Pop’s quote from the Davis Phinney Foundation web site

JUST DON’T QUIT reaching out to others with Parkinson’s

Go to an exercise class, singing group, or other activity for People with Parkinson’s. They can be just as inspiring as the list above. Who knows better what you are experiencing now than a fellow PwP. Besides, Parkinson’s people are some of the nicest people I know.

JUST DON’T QUIT showing gratitude

Many of us have things to be grateful for, even with PD. Do you have a care partner, special friend or anyone else in your life who has helped you manage your PD? Show gratitude and thank them for being there for you. Parkinson’s can be all-consuming at times and we forget the impact that this has on those who help us day to day. Just Do It

We can’t control that we have Parkinson’s, but we can control how we choose to live with it.”

Davis Phinney

JUST DON’T QUIT Being you

Don’t assume that you have become a different person because of PD. It doesn’t appear magically one day, like a cold or the flu. PD gradually unfolds and becomes more apparent over time. It can be a slow process. Just beause things are getting harder, you may be slower and more unsteady, but you are still you. Your friends and loved ones are still there for you because of who you are in their lives. Just Do It