Living with Parkinson's Disease

When Thomas Macke of Cape Girardeau was 62, he thought his arthritis was sapping the strength in his right leg. He also thought stress was causing a slight tremor.

His doctor ran some tests, then told him it was Parkinson's Disease.

Medication keeps it under control now. Macke said he still has a slight tremor, he is slowing down and has trouble with his balance sometimes. But he doesn't dwell on what he can't do. He looks for things he can do. He makes toys in his woodworking shop, teaches three Bible classes, drives his own car, keeps his home neat, and grow a sizeable vegetable garden.

Call it a positive attitude if you want. Macke, 79, calls it "plain old Dutch stubbornness. I'm fighting it all the way."

He says he has no illusions about Parkinson's disease. He knows his limits and when he's having a bad day, he take it easy. He finds -- and gives -- guidance though the Parkinson's Support Group.

"Some of my fellow sufferers, we talk about how we combat the disability and encourage each other," he said. "I try to get them to see the humor involved in the while thing. We help each other a lot."

If there's humor in having Parkinson's disease, Macke says, it's in how he has found a way out of discouraging situations.

"Another thing, he said, "all you have to do when you're feeling too sorry for yourself is look around and you'll see other people in a whole lot worse condition."

A former teacher at Trinity Lutheran School, Macke says longevity runs in his family -- his mother is going to be 99 and his father lived to be 96 -- so he looks forward to a long life despite having Parkinson's disease.

"My doctor told me if I didn't have Parkinson's I would probably live forever," he said. "I don't quite believe that."

The Parkinson's Support Group meets monthly except in June and July. Call 331-5871.