是禍是福 Curse or Blessing
💚
去年八個月跟同學網上一起讀傳道書，結合平凡生活中得到啟迪。
什麼是禍？什麼是福？
老公兩年前正式得到診斷是柏金遜症，難得他正面接受，於是接受身邊有的資源，不斷經歷祝福。
1. 從來不願意做運動，於是開始學太極。
COVID的時候，和三四個男人在Zoom溝通傾計，每次傾完，覺得不大滿足，傾埋摸不着邊際，不埋身的話題，不過也繼續兩星期一次zoom.
後來，當兩年前一提到他的診斷到柏金遜症，其中一位，二話不說：「這星期五來我家，一對一，我教你太極。」於是每個星期五早上就如此了。
自己平時要練習才可以見老師囉！
2. 找到North York General hospital 的Parkinson Wellness program. 每星期二下午兩小時，進行八星期。還有一個專門柏金遜的老人科醫生按時候見他。今年這醫生又轉介他去這醫院的Day hospital. 上星期開始，一星期兩次早上兩個半小時。
我要陪同，兩三個星期感到是被困，沒有自己時間做自己的事。
是禍？
過了兩星期，體驗中間有物理治療師，營養師，職業治療師，藥劑師，護士，康樂治療師，社工…這星期談到腦部需要運動，我得到啟迪。因我也慢慢衰老，不少時感到腦袋不願思想， 頭都實晒。我開始的小組亦慢慢撤退，其他人討論，我又不出聲，時常心想：「我的確是老了！」但這星期得到一個學習，就是腦部可以改變，腦部可以運動，
現時一個星期兩個早上陪應安在醫院，一同學習如何面對柏金遜症。起初覺得用了我很多時間，慢慢也感到我自己學了不少。
透過學新的事物，e.g. language, activities, recipes, 忽然得到啟迪，我又可以開展新的生活歷程了！
是福。
上星期見營養師，我告訴她： 應安吃餐，我們要安靜，否則他會choking. 她安排了語言治療師，昨天來家訪，（我們很驚訝這裏服務如此好，應安的幸福感很高！）她解釋了choking 和coughing的分別: Choking 是要馬上叫救傷車，因會有生命危險；coughing 是少少濁親。她教應安如何咀嚼和吞，細細啖，先是口腔濕潤，吃要專心，談到外出跟朋友邊吃邊談話，她不贊成，或者要先吃完才傾偈！
又愛吃又愛見朋友的我們，要如何調整！
我學到不少，因我不夠口水，較難吞嚥，現在知道如何處理了。
是福。
兩天前他見腦科醫生，有好消息，醫生說：他柏金遜症狀進展算慢，應該會有五年至八年保持現況。
現時他肯做運動的動機高了很多，自己認為可以每星期四次，上星期康樂治療師跟他擊掌立約，外出練習正確步行20 分鐘。
70歲那天我在香港，沒有跟朋友外出慶祝，只在酒店的廁所讀傳道書，錄音，老公在那120平方呎房間其中的單人床打鼻鼾，有一天若我視力衰退，可以聽錄音。繼續品味傳道書提醒我： 上帝引領的人生💕🎉🐬🎂🎁
2025-09-06
**Reading Old Testament， Ecclesiastes, Finding Inspiration in Ordinary Life**
What is misfortune? What is blessing?
Two years ago, hubby was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Remarkably, he accepted it positively and began to utilize the resources around him, constantly experiencing blessings.
1. He had never been willing to exercise, so he started learning Tai Chi. During COVID, he communicated via Zoom with three or four men who were not yet Christians. After each discussion, Dad would remark it was kind of boring. The conversations were rather vague and not deeply engaging, but he went along with it, simply making friends. (It’s rare for a pastor to have non- Christian friends! There are many church members who look up to him.) However, when his Parkinson's diagnosis was mentioned two years ago, one of them immediately said, “Come to my house this Friday; I’ll teach you Tai Chi one-on-one.” So every Friday morning became a routine. He realized he needed to practice more to meet the teacher!
2. He found the Parkinson’s Wellness program at North York General Hospital. It lasts two hours every Tuesday afternoon for eight weeks. Additionally, he has a specialized geriatrician who sees him regularly. This year, the doctor referred him to the hospital’s Day Hospital. Last week, he started attending twice a week for two and a half hours each morning.
I need to accompany him, and for two or three weeks, I felt trapped, having no time for myself. Was this misfortune? After two weeks, I experienced the program, which includes physical therapists, nutritionists, occupational therapists, nurse, pharmacist, recreational therapists, and social worker. This week, we discussed how the brain needs exercise, and I gained insight. As I, too, aging, I often feel that my brain is reluctant to think; it feels tired. I started to ‘withdraw’ from groups is slowly and when others discuss, I often think, “I really am getting old!” However, this week, I learned that the brain can change and can be exercised.
Currently, I accompany him to the hospital two mornings a week, learning together how to face Parkinson’s disease. Initially, I felt it took up a lot of my time, but gradually I realized I was learning a lot myself.
Through learning new things—like languages, activities, and recipes—I suddenly found inspiration, and I can embark on a new chapter in my life!
This is a blessing.
Last week, when we saw the nutritionist, I told her: “When he eats, we need to be quiet; otherwise, he might choke.” She arranged for a speech therapist to visit us at home yesterday. (We were surprised at how good the service is here; feels very privileged 好幸福). She taught him how to chew and swallow properly, taking small bites, ensuring his mouth is moist, and focusing while eating. She advised against eating out while talking with friends, suggesting it’s better to finish eating before chatting!
As people who love food and socializing, how do we adjust?
I learned a lot because I often struggle with dry mouth, making swallowing difficult, but now I know how to handle it.
This is a blessing.
Two days ago, he met with a neurologist who had good news for him. The doctor said that his Parkinson’s symptoms are progressing very slowly and that he should maintain his current condition for another five to eight years.
Currently, his motivation to exercise has significantly increased. Last week, the recreational therapist made a deal with him, and he believes he can practice correct walking for 20 minutes four times a week. We do it after dinner.
Parkinson’s diagnosis is our blessings.
