I’m Bonnie Cohen and I have lived for over 27 years dealing with the effects of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It hasn’t been easy, but I can say that life has finally improved. Though living with this incurable affliction has not been easy and has taught me to be a very different person that I was before I was 30.
Today, I am a person. I am a living, breathing, talking and walking person. Unlike a few years ago, I am active. I am on-the-go everyday of the week. I live life to the fullest each day. I have become an artist. And I love all those around me: my husband, my children, my parents, my friends, my trainer and my dogs. I am the luckiest woman, especially having so many people standing by my side cheering me on each day of my life. They all keep me going. And to think that I had never before picked up a paint brush before, lived life sitting in a wheelchair, needing a full-time caregiver to take care of my personal needs.
These last six years have been a blessing, after I had the second Deep Brain Stimulation surgery completed. Before these surgeries, life was pure hell so, I appreciate each and every day since then.
We are all here for a reason. We all have a purpose in life. And it is my belief that my purpose is to help others afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, or with any other problems. I make sure that I listen to everyone else’s story of how they are dealing with their suffering whether the story is good or bad, I make sure that their stories are heard. Sometimes when you hear others’ stories, you think that yours is not that bad in comparison. My own battle (which is far from over) has made me a stronger person and I’m told that my strength flows from me and helps others feel stronger too. I often hear, if you can do what you do, so can I.
I pride myself on being a pioneer in trying to find new treatments for PD. When I first started showing signs of Parkinson’s, no one knew what it was. I was told to see a psychiatrist. That the symptoms I was exhibiting were psychosomatic .After 2 years of searching for an answer I then went to see Dr. Abraham Lieberman in New York City. He immediately knew what I had and diagnosed me with having Parkinson’s disease. I hugged my husband, cried, and thanked G-d that it wasn’t multiple sclerosis.
My husband, Steven Cohen and I moved to South Florida over 20 years ago and sought out other people living with Parkinson’s disease and started the “30-Something Young Parkinson’s Group” in our home. I have always been an activist with Parkinson’s and have been extremely involved in the Parkinson’s community. Steven is even a past president of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association of South Florida.
After moving to South Florida in 1987, I started seeing Dr. Douglas Weiner, and Dr. Lisa Shullman in Miami. Then saw Dr. Marc Swerdloff, and now I see Dr. Stuart Issacson, the most remarkable Movement Disorder Specialist, who adjusts my Deep Brain Stimulators in the sub-thalamic nucleus (DBS) and medications.
I was the first DBS patient in South Florida. I want to thank my surgeon, Dr. Lloyd Zucker, who committed his time and knowledge to make me the woman I am today.
My point is, after seeing all of these well-renowned doctors, and I love them all, I still have this dreadful disease. It’s not going away. I continue to look for the latest techniques and newest ideas to help me live my life. I took chances. No one heard of any of these procedures when I did them. Just like no one heard of a thirty year-old being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1980.
And now there’s something else to help me in dealing with everyday life, a new concept – the SMART Lounge. It is my next step to recovery and yours.
I’m tired of taking so many medications. Each doctor I see suggests something else for each ailment I have. I just want to feel better, I just want to relax. I just want my body to calm down. I want to enjoy life more than before and this new Lounge helps me do just that. I am a much happier woman.
I say to myself daily, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
If you apply that message your daily life, I promise life will be much better, for everyone.
I may have Parkinson’s, but Parkinson’s doesn’t have me.
Time to go on my SMART Lounge and relax.
I hope to hear from you soon.All my Best
Bonnie Cohen
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