The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Episode 7: Millie & Grampy Do Fun Stuff.
“The shoes of two Penticton hikers now relaxing after a busy day in the Okanagan wilderness.
If you look closely, you may notice Tickleberry ice cream drippings, the official energy food of the region.”
Chapter One – Introduction: On the Trail Together
Millie, a spirited toddler with unstoppable curiosity, and her Grampy, Jay, a towering figure whose wealth compounds in rich life experiences, have started a tradition of real and pretend fun stuff. Jay, who at 70 lives freestanding of Parkinson’s Disease, finds joy in these adventures, fuelling an offbeat perspective on the stories each trail tells.
Despite a reserved nature, Jay’s dashing vitality and charming demeanor make him a well-liked figure in the community.
Their journeys are filled with exploration, laughter, and occasional goofiness, all strengthened by the bond of adoring grandfather and adorable granddaughter. As they navigate the rugged terrain, they create memories, each step building their spirits with shared delight.
Today’s hike was no different, a mix of stunning vistas and dusty detours, including a stop for Tickleberry ice cream that produced more than just a sweet smackerel of tasty goodness.
As Millie padded along the path, her tiny shoes mirroring the confident long strides of her Grampy, the world was full of endless possibilities. Jay’s heart swelled with pleasure, and a hint of melancholy, knowing that his condition might one day limit these precious adventures. For now, he revels in the moment, each hike a chapter in their unfolding story.
Years into the future, Jay imagines Millie at the age when she can fully appreciate the wisdom and tales he longs to impart. He envisions her as a young woman, cool grey eyes flashing bright with interest, and gentle heart open to the world. A halo of soft red curls dancing in the wind. Her sense of resolve being foremost in a confident demeanor. By then, his Parkinson’s might have advanced, making the rigorous hikes of today a dear memory. Yet, in his mind there is always now, and he crafts his letters and stories for her, weaving the threads of their experiences into a forever cuddle.
“Millie,” he would say in those future letters, “remember the time we stood at Munson Mountain, the wind whispering secrets only we could hear? Or the way the Okanagan Lake sparkled like a thousand diamonds just for us? Those moments are stamped in our soul for all time.”
Back in the present, they reached a lookout point where the valley spread beneath them, a montage of vineyards and orchards. Jay lifted Millie onto a rock, steadying her as she pointed eagerly at a distant sailboat. “Boat!” she called, her eyes wide. Jay laughed, the sound rich and warm, echoing across the landscape. “That’s right, Millie. A boat. One day, you’ll sail the world.”
In these quiet moments, Jay hoped that their hikes would be more than just physical journeys. He wished for them to become a bedrock of Millie’s childhood memories, a source of comfort and inspiration for the years ahead. As they started their descent, Jay whispered a silent prayer: to cherish each step, each laugh, and each precious moment they had together, building a gift of love and adventure that would endure, even when the hikes themselves could not…
Millie & Grampy Do Fun Stuff is the result of encouragement from family and friends to capture real moments in verse. I will be happy to blame/credit those same people for any strong response to the author’s work…and of course at this stage the work is still, as the lawyers in the family would say, in furtherance thereof. LOL.
My husband had showed symptoms of Parkinson’s before he was diagnosed a year ago, we tried every prescribed medications but didn’t seem to help, we found PD-5 programme which is an alternative treatment for PD to have helped. his symptoms has greatly subsided. i would recommend PD-5 programme. google binehealth center. com he has improved immensely since using the PD-5 treatment.