The force within
We often think of ourselves as battling outside forces- work, other people, our environment, a virus, inflation. But sometimes it is a force within ourselves that we must confront. It might be our own thoughts, or past trauma or fears for the future. It can also be our own body that decides to wage war against us. When this happens we must summon up a deep well of resilience and patience against a rising tide of panic. Fortunately humans have an infinite capacity to find courage under fire.
And no more so than my Brave New Girl podcast guest this week, Jo Yaldren who, in the face of a diagnosis of young onset Parkinson’s disease believes it is not just possible, but imperative to live life with a whole heart.
Seek out the simple things
Jo Yaldren was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 47. She campaigns for the charity Parkinson’s UK who state that Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
For Jo, the last two years have gone by at a time when her when symptoms have been ok. But in terms pf the pandemic and her Parkinson's she feels she had already had come to terms with mortality and illusion of control.
Eldest of three girls, she had a very close family, and amazing friends. Her parents divorced and when she was with her father it was a case of benign neglect.
When she left home and set out int to the world she was determined to live a rich life and her then bucket list was done by the time she reached 28. Then she became Nurse and a teacher.
Receiving an early onset Parkinson's diagnosis rocked her world. She'd gone to the doctor with some signature signs and the doctor confirmed that it was indeed PD.
She had previously been studying the Hoffman Process and that helped her through the diagnosis, and the catastrophic disruption to her life.
She kept her purpose simple: be a good mum and to look after local beach, but it was when she went on to raise awareness of Parkinson's through sharing her story that felt she had a mission.
To help raise profile of Parkinson's she has appeared on a new Parkinson's UK TV series on the topic. as they follow her on her journey to find out if she can have Deep Brain Stimulation.
The jury is still out on that one.
Thanks Jo for being so open about your journey with Parkinson’s and for helping to raise awareness about this condition.
Thank you also for showing us how to face the toughest of challenges by examining the major influences on our lives, tracing the root of the adopted negativity, and releasing any pain, grief, anger, shame or resentment that has been stored there.
You can find out more about Jo on https://www.joyaldren.com/… and follow on Instagram @ladyduffgordon We can watch the film about Jo on Parkinson’s UK.
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