The role of a PD survivor

When I got my diagnosis at age 74 nearly 5 years ago, I saw the role of an invalid gaping at me. As someone who liked to consider himself independent, this almost felt as if my life was over. How could I expect my wife to tolerate the new depleted me? I was newly retired from a responsible professional job, and lost a great deal of confidence and self respect. I had for years experienced intermittent episodes of depression, and PD was not doing it any good! Levodopa only partially helped my motor symptoms.
But I did enrol in the local PD Warriors, and exercised regularly. I have to say that my initial pessimism was excessive, and my condition's progression is fairly moderate. I no longer feel so hopeless, and the support of family and friends has been fortifying. I get some comfort from seeing how other people cope with the condition, funnily enough, particularly celebrities like Alan Alda, Billy Connolly and Carly Simon!
Which brings me to my analysis of the PD survivor's role. It has become clear that along with the diagnosis comes an expectation that you will be a courageous warrior, indeed, setting a blazing example for others in the tolerance of suffering and loss. I must say that I never signed up for this, and it's not the sort of role I would have sought! But there it is, it seems to be the obvious pathway to follow in living with PD. People with or without chronic disease appear to appreciate and benefit from it.
Of course I am still prone to anxiety, loss of heart, apathy (that's a weird one) and gloomy depression. And with PD in particular it is necessary to do what you KNOW you must do, rather than what you feel like doing (nothing).
I wonder if anyone else feels this peculiar sense of obligation and duty.
Of course there comes a time in anybody's life (with or without PD) when you can't go on any more, and have to die. How to deal with that is a whole nother issue!