Zest for life

[pakitin]

After receiving an e-mail yesterday from Nan (4cruisers) admiring my zest for life I felt an urge to share some thoughts with all the Crystal board readers and maybe motivate someone that may have a cronic illnes and is affraid to cruise and to participate in shore excursions.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Decease 7 years ago at age 47. It was very shocking but after a few days of reflection I decided to proceed with my life full speed ahead. At the present time my drive to lead a full life together with my medication have allowed me to play racketball, swim, play golf, walk 1 1/2 miles on the sand every saturday and sunday and limp my way to Alaska, the Baltic, Around the Horn and now the Aegean Sea.
With my wife's suport and encouragement in our last cruise we walked all the Olympia and Ephesus ruins, walked aroud Oia, visited all the sites in Istanbul, climbed to the top of the Acropolis and to the Stadium on top of Delphi. I also limped my way to our dining room table. to the casino, to the Bistro .....
You can do it too!

See you in Beijing in April.

Paco

[nancygp]

Paco, thanks for sharing with us. Wishing you the best!!! Nancy

[BEAV]

Paco,

Thanks so very much for your inspirational post. My Dad was diagnosed w/Parkinsons about 10 years ago while in his early 60's. He's a trooper, and I believe has done quite well considering a number of obstacles, however lacks your zest. He's not at all a traveler (never was) however I was able to take he and my Mom on their one and only cruise back in 2001.

Thanks again, I'm sure your post will be an encouragement to many.

[redhead05]

Paco, Thank you for sharing such personal information. What a wonderful outlook!

Our family faced a shocking health crisis several years ago with my Mother. She survived all the surgeries, etc and the physicians told her she could sit in a chair for the next 20 yrs or she could LIVE her life and try to do whatever made her happy, for as long as she was able. 2 yrs later they gave her the ok to travel and I took my first cruise with her. Our trips together over the next few years are among my happiest memories. She struggled with the heat and cobblestones in Mazatlan, the walking tour in Lahaina, and that incredible downpour we got caught in in Moorea!! She never complained once because she was grateful to be well enough to experience such incredible adventures.

Thank you again for sharing your story. I'm so glad you're able to live your life with the spirit of adventure! It's a good lesson for us all.

Randy

[KaraokeQueen]

Paco,
My Father in law who was a frequent cruiser of Royal Viking Line was diagnosed with Parkinson's in his mid 60's. His love of cruises has sent us
to the sea and it is now the love our our lives. Dad never let the disease stop his enjoyment of life. He kept active and that improved the quality of
his life. Congratulations for loving life to the fullest and knowing what you
have to do to keep your illness at bay. With your determination, you too will be in your 90's, talking about your cruises!

[pakitin]

Thank you for all your encouragement.
I hope that at least one reader or a family member gets the desire, after reading all our comments, to get off the chair and book a cruise, exercise, swim, or do any other activity, but above all wake up every morning sure that "today is going to be the best day of the rest of my life".

Paco