Apr 27

Why Me?

A Yogi’s Journey with Parkinson’s – Volume 4

I can feel how easily one might slip into the victim role after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. “Poor Me” & “It’s not fair” seem like reasonable perspectives (and facing such a bitch of a disease, I am not ruling out those laments in the future). But presently, they strike me as spoiled entitlement (“I deserve to be healthy”) and/or lack of responsibility for one’s own health?

“More people would learn from their mistakes if they were not so busy denying them.” – Harold J. Smith

“Why Me?” might better be applied to understanding than whining? Many experts believe that Parkinson’s is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. But, with no  history of the disease in my family, “Why Me?” becomes an even more interesting subject of inquiry.

Neurotoxins are recognized as the leading cause of Parkinson’s disease and the damage of these toxins builds cumulatively over time. So it follows that MY ACTIONS (OR IN-ACTIONS) MAY BE PARTLY (OR MOSTLY) TO BLAME. It also follows that “de-toxing” might play an active role in battling PD.

My intention was never to find toxins and actively pollute my brain. But, upon reflection, I can see there was a consistent denial of their existence in my life. Following is a list of activities, environments and ingestions you might want to consider reducing in your life. This is not an attempt to prove these are all “evil”, nor is it a scientific representation of fact, but rather a reality check and a caution going forward…
–  Flouride in the water – Have you even wondered why there are warnings on most tooth paste tubes that say something like, “Keep out of the reach of children. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away”? (from a tube of Crest)
–  While we are on the topic of ignored warning labels, remember those “preventative” painkillers (ibuprofen and/or Acetaminophen) we took after an evening of drinking? We probably knew better, but it seemed like a good idea at the time (then again, so did that last glass of wine).
–  An abusive history of artificial sweeteners from Saccharine to Aspartame (any other Diet Coke junkies out there?)
–  BPA – Remember a few years back when we all bought new “BPA-free” water bottles? That was probably a good step, but it fell short because we still ignore the BPA in almost every receipt we are handed and those soft plastic tops that keep our “to go” coffees and teas so comfortingly warm.
–  Sniffing paint in college (part of my job, not buzz-seeking) and scraping off lead in paint with (at best) a particle mask for “protection” (same job, just doubling down on the toxins)
–  Fluoride and chlorine in the shower. Your skin is your largest organ. When you are showering or bathing your skin is soaking up these toxins.
–  Pesticides anywhere (everywhere). I never took the “organic thing” too seriously (until now). Does it really make sense to put poison on our food? Or, how about spraying Malathion from helicopters over trusting suburbs of my youth to combat the dreaded Mediterranean Fruit Fly?
–  Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). One purpose of GMOs is to limit the crops lost to insects. One way of doing this is to make the food harder for insects to digest. Does making food harder to digest seem like a good idea?
–  Fluoride in YOUR WINE (OK, you get the idea)
–  Having my cell phone glued to my head for years at a time was an open invitation for EMFs (electromagnetic fields) to reek unknown havoc. It’s NOT science-bashing to maintain an open skepticism.
–  Growth Hormones fed to our beef & chicken (fish?). And everyone wonders, “Why humans are getting larger / more obese?”
–  Mercury in my fillings (thankfully all gone now)

Considering this list, maybe I should just be grateful for being healthy as long as I was. Or, maybe I should work on forgiving myself for my less than enlightened toxic past?

“Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past” – Landrum Bolling

If inspired, please visit:  4 Ways You Can Help or simply Donate

 

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are my opinions. My words should not be taken as a substitute for qualified medical expertise. This blog is designed to chronicle my journey, share what I learn in the process, and connect with others on a similar path.