Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Anchorage Parkinson's Support Group Member Attends Her Own Celebration of Life

In one of the neatest tricks since Tom Sawyer attended his own burial service, Sherri Hadley, who is a member of our support group, went to her own celebration of life. The celebration took the form of a bittersweet and raucous Old-Time Fiddle jam. It was attended by musicians from across the state.

Sheri has a Parkinson's-like illness. The disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is one of a small number of disorders similar to, but more virulent than "garden-variety" Parkinson's Disease. Among these other illnesses frequently mistaken for Parkinson's are Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Multiple-System Atrophy. These diseases tend to progress more quickly than PD, and are resistant to the treatments that normally make possible a decent quality of life, at least for awhile, in normal Parkinson's.

Faced with the bleak outlook, Sheri did not retreat into denial. Instead she made a memory for herself and for her large circle of friends that will be a comfort to all who took part. The memory I will take with me is of a woman brave enough to not let imminent death rob her life of joy. Bravo, Sheri!

You can read more in Michelle Theriault-Boots story in The Alaska Dispatch News.

1 comment:

Amy Carlson said...

Brave lady indeed - Sheri - I'm raising a toast to you tonight.
Amy