Parkinson's & Recreation: One Man's Journey Through Parkinson's...So Far

By Dennis Jernigan

Parkinson's & Recreation is a humorous yet sensitive look at author Dennis Jernigan's journey through the rough and rocky terrain of Parkinson's Disease.

In Parkinson's & Recreation, Dennis takes the reader from the devastating and dreaded moment of hearing the words, "Mr. Jernigan. You have Parkinson's Disease," to the instances of discovering unexpected moments of joy and peace as he came to terms with the diagnosis and symptoms he's lived with for over four years now.
With open honesty and humor, Jernigan bares his soul about overcoming the difficulties of fear and anxiety that often creep in when breaking the news of a diagnosis like this. Through stories and anecdotes, as well as practical advice, Dennis shares the beauty of his journey so far and the myriad opportunities he's found to make new and lasting—and sometimes hilarious—memories with his family.
Whether you suffer from Parkinson's Disease (PD), know someone who does, or whether you have no experience with PD at all, this book will prove to be a breath of fresh air to you in the chaotic world around you.
In a nutshell, Parkinson's and Recreation is the story of a man who decided to change his attitude and perspective when faced with a dreaded circumstance. It's the story of a man who has chosen to live life fully…and die well.

A warning to the most pious readers: Jernigan shares a few stories teetering very near the boundaries of good taste (to almost bawdy in nature) but all with the hope of showing the good, the bad, and the humorous as honestly as possible. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781948772204

Dennis Jernigan

Known primarily for his worship music with songs like You Are My All In All, Thank You, We Will Worship The Lamb of Glory, and Who Can Satisfy My Soul (There is a Fountain), Dennis Jernigan is also known for having walked away from his former homosexual identity and into that of a heterosexual. Married for 34 years to Melinda, they have nine children and make their home in Muskogee, Oklahoma where they are now welcoming grandchildren. Having been walking in freedom from his old identity since November 7, 1981, Jernigan takes great joy in sharing the grace and love of God with any who desire freedom in their own lives. DJ spends a great deal of time encouraging others to embrace their true identity in Christ.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

I am a man of faith who follows Jesus Christ. Even if we do not share that faith, my hope is that you, the reader, would come away from having read this book with an understanding of some of the lessons I have gleaned since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s four years ago. I’ve only just begun the journey and it is rough at times, but I am determined to enjoy that journey no matter what!

It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me...You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.

— JANE MARCZEWSKI-CLAUDIO (NIGHTBIRDE)

When I first had the idea to write a book on my life with Parkinson’s, the working title was Parkinson’s Moments. The reason for this title was simple: Parkinson’s gives me many memorable moments of pain and suffering but, at the same time, affords me many more moments of sheer joy and laughter. Parkinson’s disease is quite a paradox in my life. Incidentally, another title I toyed with is No Walk in the Parkinson’s. Meh.

A paradox is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true; a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory; a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities (Google dictionary).

The more I learn to live with Parkinson’s, the more of a paradox it becomes. How can pain and suffering coexist with sheer joy and laughter? They coexist, at least for me, based upon a spiritual point of view found in the Biblical text of Romans 8:28.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose.

After reading that verse, I had to ask myself the question, Is PD part of the ‘all things’ portion of that scripture? My conclusion? Yes. And if that is so, I believe God can use Parkinson’s for my good and will give me grace to endure whatever it brings my way. The best news of all is the fact that God wastes nothing. He does not waste our sorrows. He does not waste our suffering. He does not even waste our failures. I have discovered that God is with me every step of the way through Parkinson’s. That is an important component to my ability to find joy and peace in the midst of the foggy moments and physical suffering that are often symptoms of PD.

This book is not a scientific treatise on Parkinson’s and what causes it or an exhaustive explanation of PD. I am actually a bit shaky (pun intended) on the cause of and treatments for the illness. I know as much as my neurologist and various Parkinson’s-related websites tell me. What I am trying to say is this: I am no scientist, not a neurologist, and Parkinson’s affects people in different ways. This is MY journey.

Parkinson’s is not a good thing, but God uses it for my good. Parkinson’s is no laughing matter, but I find myself constantly laughing at the way Parkinson’s brings joy to my life and to the fabric of our family tapestry. Parkinson’s is an ugly thread God has, for some reason, allowed to be woven into that tapestry and somehow made it a most beautiful facet of this journey we call life.

After coming to that conclusion, I knew I could not call the book Parkinson’s Moments because it is so much more than that. Since I am choosing to see it as a good thing — to make lemonade out of the lemon of PD — I find my attitude, mood and overall sense of well-being rejuvenated…recreated!

Immediately, I thought of one of my favorite comedy shows, the very popular and often absurd CBS series, Parks and Recreation! After a series of laughter-inducing Parkinson’s moments, I knew I had to call the book Parkinson’s and Recreation.

Recreation is commonly defined as activity done for enjoyment when one is not working; refreshment of strength and spirits, but my personal definition literally means to recreate one’s point of view, which brings refreshment to one’s entire being. Rather than seeing Parkinson’s as an insurmountable mountain of a death sentence, I choose to see it as a mere molehill that happens to be part of my journey and is intended to bring me an even greater depth of life.

I am often reduced to laughter due to the symptoms of the illness as well as to the way people respond to me when they find out I have Parkinson’s. I have come to find the great benefit of using Parkinson’s as an excuse…for pretty much anything I say or do…objectionable or otherwise! Having lived several years with the disease now, I have found humor and laughter and joy to be vital and beneficial to my well-being.

That all sounds so deep and philosophical, but the simple fact of the matter that caused me to call this book Parkinson’s and Recreation is a no-brainer. It’s just pretty dang funny!

Dennis Jernigan

ONE

PARKINSON’S AND RECREATION

You don't stop laughing because you grow older. You grow older because you stop laughing.

— MAURICE CHEVALIER

When you can laugh at yourself, you are free.

— TED LODER

I have Parkinson’s Disease. I received that diagnosis on January 28, 2019, and I will share more about that period of my life in the following chapter. As I have shared that information with different people, all express deep concern and many respond as if they just found out I had received a death sentence. The truth is I have not received a death sentence. I have a choice as to how I can respond to the diagnosis. I can either wallow in self-pity or I can use it for good. I choose to use it for good and find that humor goes a long way in helping me live my life to the fullest with joy.

PD is a degenerative disease. Degenerative means a disease or symptom characterized by progressive, often irreversible deterioration, and loss of function in the organs or tissues (Google dictionary). In the simplest of terms, my body — brain and all — is deteriorating due to my brain’s inability to produce dopamine…the feel-good chemical neurotransmitter. In one sense, I feel I am literally losing my mind…and I might as well enjoy it! After all, I have been told on numerous occasions that, due to my faith in Christ and my belief that He can change any human heart, I have lost my mind. Now I have something to blame for it!

My purpose in writing this book is to refresh my mind and body and to see my life as not something to be dreaded but to be endured well and lived out as a grand adventure despite my circumstances. My hope is that, as you read the book, you will discover what I have discovered: Parkinson’s (life’s circumstances) can actually come in quite handy! For instance, when caught cheating at a game with my family, I have learned to play The Parkinson’s Card. More on that later…

Let’s talk a bit about what Parkinson’s is…and what it isn’t. Parkinson’s disease is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. It’s a progressive disease marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is NOT a death sentence! The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms become more common.

Cognitive and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety and apathy may also occur in many people with PD. Parkinson's disease dementia becomes common in the advanced stages of the disease. Those with Parkinson's can also have problems with sleep and sensory systems. The motor symptoms of the disease result from the death of cells in a region of the midbrain, leading to a dopamine deficit. The cause of this cell death is poorly understood. Collectively, the main motor symptoms are also known as parkinsonism or parkinsonian syndrome. (Thank you, Wikipedia!)

I have some of the following symptoms:

• Tremor: can occur at rest, in the hands, limbs, or can be postural. I have tremors in my right hand only. At times, it feels as if the fingers of my right hand have a mind of their own due to their involuntary movement. It often appears that I am rolling an imaginary set of coins with my right hand. When I play the piano, the three right-most fingers will not work, but I have discovered that if I wear a pressure wrap for tennis elbow injuries, I can use those fingers for about 40 minutes before I wear out and they, once again, become useless.

One interesting and often very funny fact about my hand/arm tremors is that when people ask me to show them my tremors (yes, people actually do this, lol!), my hand usually doesn’t shake at all. It’s as if it has a weirdly satisfying mind of its own!

My hand tremors intensify when I am watching a suspenseful show or movie or a close basketball game, when I am feeling overwhelmed in a group of people (more on that later) or when I am cold, but they become uncontrollable and obvious when I join hands with another person…especially during prayers at mealtimes! After one such prayer, my son, Ezra, looked at me after the Amen and said, Dad, it’s like you have a party going on with your hand. That’s your party hand! My right hand is affectionately known as my party hand by my family…and I LOVE it!

In a similar vein, I was recently at a birthday party for my grandson, Mark, when my son-in-law, Shaun, turned to me during a festive moment and said, Mr. J! We need your jazz hands! I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair…and then laughed even harder when I lifted my hand and it refused to tremor! I tell you…it has a mind of its own!

• Muscular symptoms: stiff muscles, difficulty standing, difficulty walking, difficulty with bodily movements, involuntary movements, muscle rigidity, problems with coordination, rhythmic muscle contractions, slow bodily movement, or slow shuffling gait. I have experienced occasional symptoms of this nature but have an easy time with walking…and even running for short spurts with my grandchildren.

Recently, our family gathered for Sunday lunch at my mom’s home. Several of my grandchildren were playing tag and asked me to join in. My wife, Melinda, said, Oh, honey! Don’t do that! You might fall! I, of course, ignored her and quickly discovered I can no longer outrun my grandchildren. I was immediately tagged and became it. Feeling the need for speed (I love Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick!), I ran after the nearest grandchild with my something-other-than-cheetah-like speed…and face planted into the ground. The left side of my face felt the first impact, followed shortly by my left shoulder, left elbow, left hip, and left knee. My grandson, in shock, asked, Are you ok, Grandpa?

I moaned and said, Yes…I am fine…just don’t tell Grandma…

The very next day, the effects of that face plant culminated at the local swim and fitness center where I swim on weekdays. As I stripped and picked up my swim shorts, I lifted my right leg to put on said shorts and felt a deep tinge of fiery pain as the muscles in my lower back suddenly decided they could no longer hold my body up. It felt as if my lower back had sprained, and had decided to go on strike! It took me two weeks to get over that one. I have since decided to heed my dad’s sage advice dispensed to me a few years prior to his death: Remember, you’re not 18 anymore.

• Sleep: early awakening, nightmares, restless sleep, or sleep disturbances. I have a difficult time sleeping since the Parkinson’s diagnosis. For most of my adult life, I had gotten by on five or six hours of sleep per night and was very active and full of energy. Parkinson’s put an end to that. I do not experience nightmares, but I deal with other sleep symptoms. Judge me if you must, but I have come to see Valium and Ambien as necessary and helpful friends! I sleep seven to eight hours each night now and wake up feeling refreshed.

• Whole body: fatigue, dizziness, poor balance, or restlessness. I keep a daily schedule to help me maintain good mind/mental health but am usually mentally