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Hello and big welcome to my new subscribers, Iām chuffed you are here! To my long-suffering subscribersā¦I love ya xx
Iād love to report that I feel refreshed and ready to go at it after my break. But you knowā¦Parkinsonās. Anyway, blinking through the usual fug and sleeplessness Iām back in your inbox.
Iām going to be honest if I had known that Parkinsonās was such a hassle I would never have started itā¦
As per a reader's suggestion, I will tackle personal care. Now I am not talking about being done up to the nines 24/7. I am talking about the little bits that give us our dignity, touches that make the void more bearable. Self-care is important. Perhaps even more to those of us who are in a wrestling match with chronic illness.
We need to be the person we truly are and not just defined by our illness. And yes maybe that means bright red lipstick or a great shave at your local barber or allowing your loved ones to give you a massage. I donāt know you and canāt tell you what your self-care looks like but I know you must do it.
Hang on a sec Emma, must is a bit strong.
Yes, it is. Allowing ourselves to be loved is part of the wellness routine. Just as taking the medication and getting the exercise, accepting care and applying it, helps us feel better.
As a busy mother, writer and general domestic slave I well know how easy it is to let personal care drop off the radar. The last time I bothered to get a haircut was a year and a half ago for a funeral. Now partly itās because I canāt sit for long before my Parkinsonās decides to pop in for a chat with the hairdresser about holidays. Itās partly because I donāt think I can justify the cost. But I know it feels amazing to look less wild woman of the back alleys of Aberdeen.
So do it, Emma. Yeah, well Iām crap at doing what I preach or at least when it comes to the hair.
I have started to allow my girls to paint my nails. Not something I used to do but somehow when the tremors are rampaging I like to enjoy the colours as my fingers skitter over everything I touch.
I probably wear more makeup than I used simply because I donāt really know who that is in the mirror anymore. I donāt look like the me I thought I was or āusedā to be. So instead of getting pissed about it, Iāve decided to forget the supposed toās and judgement stuff and wear the goddam glitter, if it makes me smile.
Right so now I have ranted I think what was actually being asked was some real-life suggestions for us Parky folk. Always on point, dear readers, always.
My biggest make-up/skincare advice is anything that is in an easy-to-open pot and can be generally smeared without it mattering if it isnāt perfectā¦is perfect.
These little pots of delight are a great example. They stack, I can open even when shaking and a smear is subtle enough on the cheek or eyelid that you donāt go full clown. They arenāt cheap BUT they last a gazillion years.
Mascara and eyeliner are a nightmare. But this has been invented. I havenāt tried it if you have let me know!
Avoid anything with a bladeā¦even safety razors in my hands are well, bloody. Wax or barber.
Hairā¦embrace the wild?
As may be apparent, I havenāt got much in the way of practical advice! Do what works for you. Donāt worry if you canāt always do it, the point is to feel good not add more pressure. On the days when I am stuck in bed then I put a beautiful silk scarf on the bed if I am too sore to wear it and just enjoy. A squirt of perfume - just for the love ofā¦aim low and not your eye!
Aim small but hopefully, youāll feel a lot better about being you.
with love
Emma x
This Week in Parkinsonās
Movers & Shakers Podcast. A gollop of parkies hanging out in the pub trying to work out what itās all about. Great listen.
This thread generated some strong thoughts about the image of Parkinsonās. Have a read here.
And the talented Mr Adventures in Parkinsonās Land is doing another amazing thingā¦help him out here.
I want to shake free...šš»
I did write a post similar to this sometime ago...https://www.whostolemydopamine.com/p/ma-scare-ra
Thank you, Emma! Another great read š I'd like to add something though, about seborrheic dermatitis (SD) which is also a PD symptom but under reported. Who knew PD could give us bad skin as well as all the other "gifts" we receive? I developed SD as a nasty sort of flaky dandruff and l also had a few spots on my face which l never had before. Thank heavens shampoo containing ketoconazole helps pretty effectively. I got my shampoo on prescription and the SD soon disappeared. I wish all symptoms could be got rid of so easily.
Anyway, take care! Sending love, Sarah šš