mEETING WITH dAVID
David grabbed my attention with his stunning artistic digital creations that frequently popped up on social media. Intrigued by his work, I decided to seek out the person responsible for these artworks. Following a podcast featuring him, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet and conduct an interview with him.
David's tale is truly inspiring. His creativity, resilience, and positive outlook demonstrate the potential with Parkinson's. He highlights that everyone possesses skills and motivates individuals to conquer their fears and pursue their interests.
David, who is 54 years old, has been dealing with issues like insomnia, feeling down, being anxious, a rigid arm, and loss of smell for more than a decade. He received a Parkinson's diagnosis when he turned fifty, around three years ago.
David Enker
Creativity and positivity help me stay strong in my life with Parkinson's.
Three years ago, amid the Corona period, I encountered challenges that I initially attributed to Corona. However, it was later discovered that these were actually the early signs of Parkinson's disease, leading to a diagnosis six months later.
At that time, I was taking medication for depression, but once my condition improved, I discontinued the medication. Consequently, my Parkinson's symptoms worsened significantly. I sought help from a neurologist and underwent a DATscan. During the test, the assistant mentioned a neurological condition that suggested I might have only a year left to live. This news hit me hard just before the weekend, and I had to wait until Monday for further confirmation. I returned home feeling devastated, contemplating the limited time I might have. It was a challenging weekend that completely altered my life.
Early Monday morning, I was the first one at the neurologist's office. The neurologist confirmed the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The contrast between being told I might have only a year left and then learning it was just Parkinson's, even if it was communicated by someone at the DATscan lab, deeply affected
I cautiously leaped into the air, relieved to find out it was just Parkinson's and not something more severe. Now, I can simply enjoy watching my son grow up. But what is it truly like to live with Parkinson's? The neurologist prescribed levodopa medication, which, if effective, confirms the diagnosis. Additionally, as a precautionary measure, an MRI was conducted to check for any brain damage, fortunately with no findings.
After receiving the diagnosis, the first year felt completely disorienting. Questions like "Why me? How did this happen? Where have I been all these years?" constantly lingered in my mind. Why is this happening now?
My symptoms align with Parkinson's, yet the progression varies from person to person. A decade ago in Antwerp, I experienced anxiety and my first panic attack, potentially due to low dopamine levels in my brain causing stress. Reflecting on having symptoms for a decade, I contemplate if it's congenital, inherited, or linked to pesticides.
An unusual adoption, a shocking family revelation, a solitary journey, a narrow escape from the 7/7 bombings, and a life-altering diagnosis.
David has been influenced by everything that has occurred in his life. Raised by foster parents, aware that his biological parents were too young to raise him, and dealing with family tension due to tragedy during the Holocaust. Additionally, he witnessed the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London. Just half a year before, David had relocated to London. This added more stress and anxiety to his life.
Book
Reflecting on my current situation in Haarlem, I find solace in my wife and son, who mean the world to me, serving as my pillars of strength. With every breath and heartbeat, I acknowledge my existence and contemplate what I have to lose. My creativity and social drive have been instrumental in steering me towards the right path.
Crafting my second book, a graphic novel, has become a means for me to reflect on and make sense of my life experiences. Through this narrative, I creatively portray my entire life, delving deep into its essence. This book is a blend of reality and imagination, combining a semi-autobiographical account with elements of fiction.
At the moment, I'm working with my son on a comic book venture. Our inspiration stems from Dog Man, a cherished comic series of ours. Whenever we dive into the pages of Dog Man together, laughter is inevitable. This comic is known for its amusing and lighthearted humor that captivates readers of all ages, making it a delightful read that resonates with adults as well. Interestingly, it's crafted by the sa
My 6-year-old
son is already
showing a talent for drawing, mathematics, and even
teaching his
classmates how to
draw.
He has a keen interest in numbers and infinity, which makes me incredibly proud of him!
Michael J. Fox's books have been extremely beneficial to me because of his uplifting and optimistic perspective on Parkinson's disease. One of his notable quotes is, "Parkinson's is a gift that keeps on giving. It's a gift that keeps asking for more. It has taught me to listen to what is possible."
It's inspiring to witness the transformation of an illness into a wellspring of resilience. Initially, there was the overwhelming disbelief: Will this be the end? How much time remains? Yet, a realization struck me: I'm still standing! While I'm alive, I can cherish life's blessings. Michael J. Fox's uplifting message truly emboldened me. In my upcoming book, I explore embracing life positively while living with Parkinson's. It narrates my personal journey and the profound purpose I unearthed within it.
AdvicefromDavid
Do you already know about the memory palace?
In this technique, you place the products you need to buy in store in the craziest places in your house. Imagine milk flow from your faucet, toothpaste spread on the floor in the hallw and an apple sitting in your shoe. You connect your shoppin items to something in your house that you find amusing, which helps you remember them better.
You create your own images for this. Additionally, you can mentally follow a specific route through your house, passing by the locations where you've mentally placed your items. This visualization remains intact and always works. You can also do this with sound. For example, if I tap my foot once, I need this, and if I stomp my foot twice, I need that.
Creativity resonates with me perfectly; I can completely engross myself in it. My interests lie in web design, crafting reels, writing, and drawing with my son.
The radiance of your inner self is illuminated through the practice of yoga and mindfulness, aiding me in remaining grounded and connected to my true essence. This profound connection provides me with immense inner strength. Nurturing passion, self-esteem, and a sense of empowerment are all integral aspects of our inner being.
Maintaining a positive outlook and affirming statements like "I am proud of myself. I am worthy. I belong here" can be transformative. Each individual possesses unique talents, even if they require effort to uncover. Dedicate time to explore and nurture these talents within yourself.
Have you ever faced fear? When fear arises, I confront it head-on and persevere. Taking this approach often yields rewarding results. For example, during the pandemic, I hesitated to use the airport restroom due to long queues. Despite my apprehension, I prepared myself and managed to push through the challenge. If there's something daunting that you desire to accomplish, take the leap. It may require practice, but it is achievable! Embrace your aspirations wholeheartedly. You will discover a sense of empowerment. Now, I confidently ride the roller coaster at the fair without hesitation, proudly exclaiming to myself, "Yes, I did it!"
I have recently achieved a major milestone by completing my book. The process of writing has not only enhanced my strength and confidence but has also fulfilled a long-held aspiration, opening doors to new connections and experiences. The decision to pursue this endeavor brings me immense joy. While working on the book, I ventured into creating promotional videos and gradually shifted my focus to life with Parkinson's, leading me to explore a fascinating realm of creative videos on the subject.
Move
I have a passion for hiking and enjoy capturing moments through photographs to share later. These captured moments during my hikes hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I find myself sitting at the computer for too long and start feeling stiff, it serves as a reminder for me to get moving. Engaging in physical activities when my body craves it helps me relax and feel rejuvenated. In addition to hiking, I participate in physiotherapy, online yoga sessions with Yoga4Parkinson, and gym workouts encompassing fitness, cardio, strength training, stretching, and balance exercises.
David's tip:
Be aware of your breath and remember that circumstances are temporary. Focus on fully engaging in the present moment.
It's going to be okay!