You Can't Go By Labels

I have a Porsche Design writing pen. It's sleek but it doesn't write any faster than my traditional ballpoint pens. I still like Lifesavers, even though they don't improve my buoyancy. While I admit to using both products, on occasion, the reality is that these items are labeled and marketed to promote an image or persona that makes it stand out from the rest.

Labels aren't always accurate

Salespeople, marketers, and advertisers fight for our attention, almost everywhere that we go. Just like the pen and the candy, almost all products are labeled and enhanced by a presence or image that makes it larger than a simple, everyday, generic, household, product. In a crowded marketplace, distinguishing yourself from the competition becomes more and more of a challenge.

Labels make categorizing and describing something or someone easy-but they aren't always completely accurate. Take for example that all Parkinson's patients are unique, but we are forced to generalize our conditions and place them under the heading of Parkinson's disease. For lack of better terminology and a segmentation of potential sub-illnesses which might distinguish the various flavors of the disease, a movement to break down the various related symptoms that some may have or not, could be helpful in understanding the vast manifestations of the disease.

Labels don't always explain what is in the box. When I tell someone who knows little or nothing about Parkinson's disease just how young I was and how long it took to receive a diagnosis, it surprises even me, that to this day, there are well-informed people who don't know the basics of Parkinson's. Except for tremor and gait issues, the general public is not made aware of the numerous symptoms to be on the lookout for. Anxiety, constipation, speech issues, vision problems, balance, cardiac issues, digestive issues, depression, and cognitive issues can all be related to a Parkinson's disease diagnosis.

Continuing education

Raising awareness of this disease and explaining the frustration of not seeing breakthroughs in Parkinson's has been going on for far too long. This illness is prevalent and yet to be totally unveiled and understood. It is our job as ambassadors of our disease to clarify what Parkinson's entails, educate on what works and may not, and how to live our best with it.