Communication Challenges (November 2025)

Let's just assume that all the posts on here are left to mature before I hit publish.  This one has been maturing in the drafts folder for about three months. 


One of the things I'm noticing about my condition, is a reluctance to tell people about it.  I have heard fellow sufferers talk about the 'shame' of having Parkinson's and I don't think it's that, if anything it's a fear of being the 'centre of attention'.  

I was at a small social gathering a while ago, almost all people I know, but only two knew (as far as I know!) about the diagnosis. And perhaps inevitably I found that the symptoms were worse than usual.

Some people (those damned extroverts) would no doubt have waltzed into the room, and announced that they were a Parkie.  That's just not my style. 

The other challenging communication thing for me, is keeping up with a busy conversation around a room - I can follow the conversation, but I really do struggle to contribute in a timely fashion, so I just sit (usually in a corner) and nod/smile/laugh at appropriate moments.  

If I'm asked a direct question, the conversation will usually pause for long enough to get my answer out, but breaking in to the conversation uninvited is a bigger challenge. 



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