What Start Living Today PD means to me

Start Living Today PD is a Facebook support group for people living with Parkinson’s that I am privileged to help to run. It was founded by Heidi Reynolds in March 2016 and now has nearly 900 members worldwide. Our key words are positive, motivated and happy.

As we approach our first birthday, it seems like a good time to reflect on what Start Living Today PD (SLTPD) means to me.

I joined SLTPD in April 2016 and I now can’t imagine my life without it. We’re a very diverse group, but we have two things in common: we either have Parkinson’s ourselves or are close to someone who has Parkinson’s, and we want to live well with Parkinson’s.

I couldn’t possibly write about what SLTPD means to me, without first saying a huge thank you to Heidi who founded the group, and has since become a really good friend. Thank you so much Heidi for starting the group, inviting me to join, inspiring me, encouraging me, believing in me and trusting me. And for being such an amazing friend over the last year.

SLTPD is a safe place where I can share my struggles with Parkinson’s if I want to and get support, encouragement and empathy from others living with Parkinson’s.

It’s a place where I can be inspired by and learn from others, share my experiences and ideas and hopefully help others in some small way.

The support and encouragement I have received from SLTPD over the last year has helped me to step out of my comfort zone, be more confident and achieve things I never thought possible.

Most of all, SLTPD:

• gives me hope for the future
• helps me to feel that I am not alone
• is all the proof I need that it is most definitely possible to live well with Parkinson’s

This blog is dedicated to all members of SLTPD – you make it the amazing, special group that it is. Thank you all.

Start Living Today PD: http://www.startlivingtodaypd.co.uk
Heidi’s blog: http://www.startlivingtodaypdblog.wordpress.com