For me one of the first signs that something was “off” with my body was “the shake” – the tremor in my right hand and leg. Along with the feeling that my hand had “forgotten” how to do things, like write 3’s & g’s & 8’s. Loss of motor control is a common physical symptom of PD, causing freezing motions or extremely slowed motions, tremors, cramping, and a condition called micrography (writing that becomes extremely small), to name a few.
The best way I have found to describe the feelings of loosing control is to say that my right hand has become a toddler in the “terrible 2’s” stage. My brain is saying “brush your teeth” and my hand is crossing her arms and stomping her feet while saying “I can’t”.
So, in a stand off of obstinance I have told my brain and hand that they WILL work together, and the best way to slow the progression and get my body to work together again is to consciously practice my brain telling my hand what to do – something that we take for granted when we are healthy because it just happens without us having to purposely put energy into it.
Therefore I have started joining YouTube painting classes, learning brush techniques and challenging myself to slow down and make my body communicate, listen, and execute a set of tasks.
When an action causes my right hand to stomp her feet again, I just take a break and take the opportunity to teach my left hand to complete the task. In doing this I stretch my mental and physical capacities and hopefully start making new pathways in my brain that will help as the disease progresses.
Good description of how it feels to hold a toothbrush and not able to make it move properly . I am 68 and was diagnosed 2 years ago . Initially as a midwife found it hard to suture, then more aware of stopping handicrafts , avoid writing , at one I enjoyed watercolour painting which attracted me to your lovely work .