IN HIS CORNER: Lessons Learned by Lonnie Ali
A champion's caregiver speaks from the heart
BY:ANNE HOSANSKY
Photograph by Fran Collin
Be positive. Accept each day as it comes, approach it with an open mind and continue to hope that new medications will be found. Parkinson's can be managed, but you have to stay on top of it. Keep the patient engaged in life, not sitting home isolated.
Faced with so much stress, how does a PD caregiver stay positive?
Remain engaged in life yourself so the situation doesn't overwhelm you. Have your own interests and activities. You'll function better as a caregiver and be more efficient. I go to the gym and have dinners with friends.
How do you help a child accept a parent's illness?
The challenge with kids is to make them understand the disease [by keeping] them educated about it. They have to have a positive outlook, too, not be sad that they can't be engaged with their parent as much as they'd like. My hope is that his father's illness will make Asaad a stronger individual with insight into people with Parkinson's.
Isn't anger a normal reaction?
How could I be angry at Muhammad? It's not his fault he has Parkinson's any more than it's my fault I have freckles. I believe everything happens for a reason.
What do you tell caregivers who say they don't have time to take care of themselves?
If you can't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of others. It's important for both caregivers and patients to eat healthy foods. Muhammad has a sweet tooth, but I make sure he eats nutritiously, takes a liquid vitamin and gets an adequate amount of fiber.
How does Fight For MORE help?
It's the first network for Parkinson's caregivers, and it empowers them by providing resources such as community connections and advice about treatment. Our website, www.fightformore.com, also provides a "tip sheet" for caregivers. For every person who visits the website and signs up to support the campaign, Valeant donates $10 to the annual Parkinson's Unity Walk.