Storyectomy* Parkinson’s — bergamotsantamonica

“In my family, I was the irresponsible one, the wild one, the perpetual child, and the one who stayed. Although I had long outgrown the label, I never lost it. My family didn't approve of many of my choices, but they supported them.

Three years ago, my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's. It wasn't a surprise. An essential tremor in his 40s made every new symptom easy to explain away. We kept Parkinson's in a box, like Schrödinger's cat. Then a doctor opened it, and there it was. I had already stepped into the role of caregiver and advocate in recent years as my parents aged. The paradox: how could the irresponsible one be responsible for them?

So what did the irresponsible one do? I got on a plane to Tulum.

It was an all-expenses-paid work trip, and my 52nd birthday. I knew everything was about to change, and I needed a breath first. I got to be with me, walking the precipice between what was, what is, and what will be. I practiced what this journey keeps teaching me: nothing matters but this moment. This sunset. There will never be another one.

For my last night, I booked a casita on the sand. The woman at the desk looked at me and said, "You're gonna stay."

"No, I can't. I have a flight. My dad has a doctor's appointment."

She just smiled. "Okay. You're gonna stay."

When I landed back in LA three days later, the child had no idea what was coming.

Four weeks to the day, I closed escrow on a condo five minutes from my parents in Encino. I traded my Mini for a Goldilocks SUV, tall enough for my dad, low enough for my mom. My days filled with doctor's appointments, therapists, sorting pills, and making sure there was more than ice cream for dinner..."

⬇️ READ THE REST OF WENDYE'S STORY IN THE COMMENTS ⬇️

🎤 muse_wendye
📸 jill.petracek
✨ Storyectomy* Parkinson’s

Storyectomy* Parkinson’s is produced by crowcomedy and supported by a Community Grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation parkinsondotorg, made possible thanks to the generosity of the estate of Stanley and Gloria Brams.

🗓️ November 20
⏰ 8:00pm
🔗 Ticket link in bio
📍 bergamotsantamonica crowcomedy