How do you not let Parkinsons Disease take over your life?
I should probably warn our neighbors that the noise is coming from me

Watch Kirk Gibson talk about his Parkinson's Disease

This week I graduate from an intense four-week program for Parkinson's patients who have lost a lot of their voice.  This video shows how Kirk Gibson, a MSU football legend handled his Parkinson's Disease, including his ability to talk loudly and clearly.  He's a graduate of the same program.  About 10 minutes into the video, he talks about how he moved from being a Major League Baseball manager to somebody who had trouble producing anything more than a whisper.

He practices his "ah's" everyday to maintain his voice just to do everyday life.  For me, the toughest part of this journey has been losing my ability to communicate.  I first thought I was having a stroke, at least,  a TIA.  

Then the neurologist who diagnosed me suggested I go through the LSVT Loud program with a speech therapist.  It's helping.  I'm not ready to give a TED talk, but who knows, I might get to that point.

What would I talk about?  My wife who I couldn't do Parkinson's without her.  My family who have been tremendously supportive.  My grandkids.  Then there's God who promises to walk beside me throughout this thing.

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