How do you find light in the darkness?

My light in the darkness is my support groups. Twice a month, I get to spend time with some of my now closest friends who understand me and the ups & downs we deal with everyday. We laugh at things that most would not find funny, we coach each other through medication side effects and surgeries and we talk. A lot. It’s also been great for my husband to attend because we’ve found that I talk more about my symptoms with others with PD and he’s learned about the disease and how it affects me.

If I had to make my list...

1) not letting little things bothering me.
2) closer to family / loved ones.
3) writing non PD supernatural stuff.
4) beautiful views to travel to.
5) when people compliment my writing about PD.
6) when I don't think about PD.
7) spirituality / psychology / philosophy
😎 joking about things.
9) through friendships.
10) dreams and goals.

In all honesty, so much of my purpose is detailing the struggle to motivate a cure / make people understand they aren't alone that it's hard not to think about PD - esp. with symptoms increasing and meds changing.

My future will be two-fold - speaking out about PD AND starting therapy. I'm looking forward to both.

Hi Kelly,
First of all, thank YOU for being a moderator and chatting with others living with Parkinson's Disease. To answer your question, YOU are a HUGE part how me, as a caregiver to a loved one with PD, and others stay hopeful. Knowing that there is a caring ear on the other side of my laptop with loving answers and insightful knowledge and experience helps to shed light on my darker days when his symptoms are making us feel cloudy and dark. For this, I am grateful because as I listen to your comments either here or on other media, I also feel encouraged by the conversations shared.
Also, my personal light in the darkest hours of PD comes from a strong relationship with God who guides me in the middle of the night when I fall back to sleep after a terrible cramping episode, who leads me to a calm in the middle of the day when medications don't ease the symptoms and there are a million things to do for the kids, who directs me online to find others in the same situations online that understand, and who provides for our large family. Initially, it knowing He would take care of our needs and provide comfort and direction not only gets me through another day but gives me hope.
I can't wait to hear more from others! It's funny that today I see your question because I just read an awesome quote yesterday concerning this notion. It is from one of my favorite characters read in my house many times over the past decade:
"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times. But only to those who remember to turn on the light." -- Albus Dumbledore
love,
Angie Hott

My light in the darkness is and always will be my wife (who also has PD), She is my strength and inspiration to continue fighting this disease. She is a daily encouragement in the face of the darkness and a true motivator in every possible way. Together we find strength through our faith and in each other but I refer to her as my secret weapon against PD!